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The Princess Astrella 




PICTURES AND TEXT 


% 

J ALLEH • ST JOHN- 



■Chicago' 
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Copyright 
A. C. McClurg & Co. 
1905 



Published October 21, 1905 


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THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. 



*> 















CHAPTER THE FIRST 


. Page 



In which the Princess makes an Enemy at her first 

Reception 

/ 

CHAPTER THE SECOND 

Tells how a Speck of G-old came to shine in a Tower 
Window , where no Tower was before 


CHAPTER THE THIRD 

In which Prince Hardel goes hunting a White Stag , 

only to find something better 25 

CHAPTER THE FOURTH 

Tells how the Princess spent her first Day on the Mountain 35 

CHAPTER THE FIFTH 

In which the Prince sees the Face in the Pool ... 47 

CHAPTER THE SIXTH 


How the Prince returned to Pellam , and of a Dream 


he had by the Way 55 

CHAPTER THE SEVENTH 

In which the Prince rides forth upon his Quest ... 63 


13 


19 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER THE EIGHTH Page 

Contains the Charcoal-burner's Story of his Daughter 

Alary ede 73 

CHAPTER THE NINTH 

In which is told how it fared with the Prince in his first 

Adventure , the Castle of the Hundred Maidens . 83 

CHAPTER THE TENTH 

Wherein a Squire tells his Tale , and the Knight of the 

Red Lawns fights his last Battle 99 

CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH 

Relates how the Prince spent the Night at the Castle of 
Kelmet the Wizard, though with but poor Opinion 
of its Hospitality 115 

CHAPTER THE TWELFTH 

Of the Meeting of the Prince with the Venerable Man 

on the Milk-White Jennet 129 

CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH 

Containing the Adventures of the Prince at the Castle of 

Leliore the Fay 137 

CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH 

And last ; relates how a Shepherd-lad learned a new 

Tune, and the Princess to smile again 149 

[ viii ] 



44 In place of the frog there stood a tiny manikin ” ... 28 

4 4 Raising the salver , she bade him pledge her in the goblet ” 76 / 

44 He dashed swift and sure , straight at the horrid head ” 132 


Also fourteen drawings in black and white , 
introducing the chapters , and 
other decorations 



/ 




0 
























makes- an-Enemy-at-her* 
•first -Exception- 



CHAPTER THE FIRST 

In which the Princess makes an Enemy at her 

first Reception 



THE FACE IN THE POOL 



HE LORD HIGH SECRE- 
& tary of Elgardane sat at a 
huge oval table in the centre 
of a quaint, oak-panelled cham- 
ber. Before him spread a drift 
of snowy parchment, with en- 
velopes, seals, wax, and tapers 
*in heaped profusion. Wiping 
his quill pen with care upon his 


inky coat-sleeve, he tickled his nose with its feather, sneezing 
ecstatically, — a habit cheaper than snuff, and serving on the 
present occasion to pass the time while Her Majesty was 
getting her thoughts in order. 

Without, there reigned the drowsy quiet of a Summer 
day ; the only sounds to break the stillness of the room the 
distant twittering of birds and the fussy humming of a blun- 
dering bee that, having drifted in along the bar of sunlight 
streaming through the high and narrow window, now circled 
the walls, butting at the ceiling, anxious to be gone once 
more, out where the flowers held each its brimming honey 
cup, yet quite confused as to the way. 


[ 15 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Finding the eye of the Queen upon him, he coughed 
gently. “May it please Your Majesty, I have finished 
directing the invitations to the Princess’s christening. Is 
Your Highness sure no one of the fairy guardians has been 
forgotten ? ” 

“Quite,” replied the Queen, twiddling her thumbs com- 
placently. “We have overlooked none, as has been the 
mistake of some of my ancestors, with what sad results we 
all know. My child, thanks to her mother’s foresight, shall 
have no witch’s curse to mar her happiness and dim the good 
gifts I am assured her fairy relatives will shower on her.” 

And thus it was the wicked witch Eluesa made a quaint 
black spot among the gay colors of the fairies who came for 
the royal ceremony, drawn through the air by bright-hued 
birds, or up from the sea in shallops of pearly shells, with 
dolphins and sea-horses glittering in silver harness, — the 
witch on her magic broomstick, her great black cat in 
her arms. 

The Princess, meanwhile, quite unaware both of the noble 
company and of the honors about to be hers, slept peacefully 
in her royal crib, while the fairies considered as to her name. 
This threatened to take some time, as one was for this, the 
other for that, while they gathered so close in their eagerness 
[ 16 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

about the little sleeper that, wakened at last by their voices, 
she opened her big bright eyes. 

44 Call her Astrella, the Star-eyed,” said the smallest of the 
fairies, in a shrill, piping voice, and the rest cried joyful assent. 
Even the baby Princess herself seemed pleased, for she cooed 
in glee, and reaching out a tiny hand to the tail of the black 
cat the witch still held in her arms, pulled it with might and 
main. The old dame was at first annoyed; the cat’s claws 
were exceedingly sharp, and it had planted them violently, 
but the gleam of malicious joy came into the witch’s eye as 
she thought of a way to make the accident an excuse for 
causing trouble. She had long been accustomed to being left 
out when the guests were invited to christenings, and there- 
fore took pleasure in arriving after the good fairies had made 
their gifts, and spoiling all with her black art. She was 
worried when invited to this one, as she had then no excuse 
for mischief. Here was her chance, and quickly taking 
advantage of it, she drummed with her red-heeled shoes on 
the floor and cried in a hoarse, cracked voice, as she pulled 
a tiny silver spinning-wheel from under her cloak : 

44 This is my gift, and it will grow as she grows. If she 
prove fonder of spinning than of play, all will be well ; but if 
not, I shall return when she is sixteen, and then — ,” the 
2 [ 17 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

last word ending with a menacing scream as she mounted 
her broom and sailed away out of the window. 

Great was the sorrow and dismay of the King and his 
Queen, who had planned all so carefully for the happiness 
of their child, notwithstanding all that the fairies could do or 
say, and all the gifts of beauty, gentleness, and grace that they 
freely bestowed. Who could tell if the Princess would prove 
industrious ? — for diligence was the one gift the fairies could 
not bestow upon her. 

The Queen Fairy promised to do all in her power should 
misfortune befall. “We can do no more at present,” said she. 
Then they sadly vanished, one by one. The baby held up 
her dimpled hand to her mother’s cheek and cooed gleefully. 
A tear stood in the King’s eye. 

“We must do all we can to save her, — to make her love 
to work,” he sighed. 

44 But how can she stoop to work?” said the Queen, 
“ Think of the family traditions. What a disgrace ! ” 


[ 18 ] 



ells • how- a-JpecK-of- (Sold- 

came -to- shine -in-a-Tower- 
Window- where-no-Tower-was- 

before- 



CHAPTER THE SECOND 

Tells how a Speck of Gold came to shine in a 
Tower Window, where no Tower was before 



IFTEEN YEARS HAD 
come and gone, and the six- 
teenth was to dawn on the 
morrow, since the Princess 
Astrella had come to gladden 
the hearts and eyes of the 
people of Elgardane. She had 
grown a most beautiful maid ; 
in all the kingdom none could 
compare with Star-eyes, as her playmates called her. Her 
hair, of a rich copper-gold, hanging nearly to her feet, was 
braided with strings of coral and amethyst. A gown of pea- 
cock blue-green, trimmed with scarlet and worked with a 
pattern in golden threads, clung to her lovely form, while a 
dainty foot in scarlet slipper just peeped from beneath. The 
richness of her dress but made a proper setting for her lovely 
face, and that in its turn for her eyes, rich and beautiful as 
pansies on a dewy morning, clear as the lake that was formed 
from the pure, limpid rills in the mountain hard by, yet bright 
as the queen star of a Summer night. Truly, the little fairy 
with the piping voice had named her well, the Star-eyed. 

Just now these eyes were filled with tears. She was think- 
ing of the morrow, and her sixteenth birthday. She knew 
[ 21 ] 



THE FACE IN THE POOL 

well the story of the witch and what she had screamed as she 
flew through the palace window; for, though the King and 
Queen had come to think the witch would not carry out her 
threat, now that the girl had grown so lovely and gracious, 
worshipped by all who knew her, still the presence of the 
spinning-wheel — only three inches high when the witch first 
laid it before her, and which had grown apace with her, till 
now it was of the same size as the one Grisela her maid was 
always working at — made her very anxious. 

Now, truth to tell, though Astrella was beautiful, she sel- 
dom was busy. She had tried so hard to be, but always 
before she had spun the wheel a dozen times or wound a yard 
of thread something would happen to call her away. Her 
pony would whinny from the courtyard below, to beg for 
their morning gallop ; the plash of the fountain called her to 
linger in the shade of the fine old trees by its brink, to feed 
with her cake the gold-fish flashing their brilliant scales quite 
out of the water in their eagerness for crumbs ; or her gay 
little spaniel Rex, chasing the butterflies, would invite her 
with joyous barks to join the merry frolic. These and a 
hundred other sights and sounds would call her from the 
wheel with its fussy hum and the thread that hurt her rosy 
fingers. 


[ 22 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Had she but thought to try another wheel, all would have 
been well ; for she was far from being a lazy girl. It was all 
the fault of the wheel. The witch had taken care to enchant 
it, so that even Grisela, who made her own to spin so smoothly 
and with such pleasure in her task, would have had to leave 
it and go a-larking just as the Princess did, had she tried the 
witch’s gift. And then the wheel was so pretty, all of pale 
shining silver, who that possessed such a beautiful one would 
have thought of using a common thing of wood and iron ? 
But Astrella knew nothing of this as she sat by the edge of 
the fountain, tossing her cake crumb by crumb to the greedy 
fish and watching the sun as it dropped like a red-gold ball 
over the crest of the mountain near by. 

When the sun rose again, scattering the golden clouds in 
the east, the courtyard was full of her friends of the palace, 
and many who had come from a distance to stand before her 
window and wake her with songs and gladness to her birth- 
day revels. But the music ceased and a low groan went up 
as the lattice opened ; for, not the fair face of their Star-eyes, 
but the malicious grinning countenance of the wicked witch 
looked down upon them. 

“ Look ! ” she cried, pointing to the mountain. They 
gazed in the direction indicated by her bony finger, and were 
[ 23 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

amazed to see that where the velvet grass and lovely trees had 
shone like precious emeralds on its sides, the mountain was 
now clothed in a dense black forest, with a small clear space 
at the summit, on which stood a tower of gray stone, with 
only one window near the top, in which something shone like 
gold in the level rays of the morning sun. “ Aye, gaze your 
fill,” laughed the wicked old woman fiercely ; “ she was a lazy 
wench, though she was so fine, and so she belongs to me 
till a prince can be found who can perform the three tasks 
and pass the enchanted wood.” 

As the witch cried out these words she chuckled shrilly, 
then leering at the grief-stricken King and Queen, who were 
among those that had gathered to welcome their Star-eyes, 
she seemed to grow thin, and wavered like a blue flame in 
the breeze. . . . They looked again, to find her gone ; 
nothing but the open lattice left to tell the tale, while the 
speck of gleaming gold in the tower window still shone in 
the sunlight. They knew now the meaning of it. It was 
the Princess Astrella’s copper-gold hair. 


[ 24 ] 






CHAPTER THE THIRD 

In which Prince Hardel goes hunting a White 
Stag, only to find something better 




EEP IN THE FOREST OF 


'Garsamane, ten leagues or more 
from the fair city of Pellam, 
where were the palace and court 
of King Halborn the Just, stood 
the hunting lodge of his only 
son and heir, the Crown Prince 
Hardel, a gallant youth, fond of 
all manly sports. The first in the 
hunt, the best shot with long or 


cross-bow in all the kingdom, none could excel him at sword 
practice or with lance and buckler in the tourney. Many 
were the bright eyes that beamed on him there, for of all the 
beauties at his father’s court not one but would have been 
proud had he worn her colors in the joust. But as yet no 
maiden’s veil had graced his helm, for of all this he cared 
not a jot. When lessons were done with, it was away for 
the merry greenwood to the lilt of the huntsman’s horn, 
and over field and fell after the startled deer or wily fox, 
with music of fast-flying hoofs, and the wild, sweet air in 
his nostrils. As the first peep of sunshine filtered through 
the leaves, changing the purple-gray forest to a mass . of 
dancing green and gold, waking the myriad birds from the 


[ 27 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

drowse of the Summer night, and shining through the quaint 
leaded panes of the hunting lodge, the Prince sprang from 
his couch, and, throwing wide his casement, hailed the fair 
promise of a perfect day. He was longing to be in the saddle 
again ; all of yesterday he and his merry company had raced 
through brake and brier, with baying hounds and panting 
steeds, after a strange white stag that had seemed to rise 
like a puff of snow from the very ground before the dogs — 
now almost theirs, now distancing the swiftest. At last, 
when the day was nearly done, and horse and hunter were 
full weary, he had, with a mighty burst of speed, vanished 
deep into the shadow of the wood. Hardel had determined 
to follow the stag again to-day, and should they catch another 
sight of him, to separate from the hunting party, hoping by 
making a wide circle into the wood to get a shot with his 
cross-bow, should the deer double on his track. 

It was not long before the gay cavalcade, jingling through 
the early dew, saw just before them, as on the previous day, 
the great white form of the splendid stag rise, seemingly from 
the very ground, and, with a shake of his spreading antlers, 
lead the mad chase. The Prince, as soon as he saw all eyes 
upon the quarry, slipped, as he had planned, from the throng, 
and making a wide circuit, came to a giant oak standing apart 
[ 28 ] 



In place of the frog there stood a tiny manikin 

(Page 29) 












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THE FACE IN THE POOL 

in a mossy glen, at its foot a pool of clear and sparkling 
water. 

44 Here,” said he, “ I will wait ; for should the stag come 
this way, doubtless he will stop to drink, while behind this 
great trunk I can lie concealed. But first to slake my own 
thirst.” 

Stepping to the edge of the pool, he was about to kneel, 
when his eye fell on a great frog gazing solemnly at him 
from a rock half buried in the water. Stooping, he picked 
up a stone, intending to kill the creature, but as he poised it 
to throw, he noted how like jewels the little eyes shone, the 
broad green bands and stripes on its back forming a rich 
design. He dropped his pebble, saying, “ Live on, old 
Emerald-coat. You and I have no quarrel. Sun yourself 
the livelong day and croak your songs at night. So may 
you be happy in your way.” Then taking up a handful of 
water, he threw that instead. 

No sooner had it touched the frog than in its place there 
stood a tiny manikin, not two feet high, his twinkling eyes 
beaming on the Prince from out a puckered little face. 
Round of girth was he, but thin in the arms, with spindling 
legs cased in scarlet tights, his coat all green and yellow, his 
cap made with a peak so long and slender it hung far over 
[ 29 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

down his back ; his hands and feet, large as those of an ordi- 
nary man, looking queer at the ends of such slender limbs, 
while a long white beard added a touch of dignity to an 
otherwise wholly comical appearance. 

44 Hail, Prince Hardel ! ” he cried in a high-pitched voice, 
that sounded very like the music-box the Prince had received 
on his last birthday ; then, hopping nimbly from the rock 
to shore, he held out his hand in friendly greeting. 44 1 Ve 
been enchanted, you know,” he said apologetically, noting the 
Prince’s surprise. 44 A long time ago I prevented the witch 
Eluesa from performing one of her wicked tricks. She never 
forgave my interference, and, catching me off my guard, here 
by the pool, about two weeks ago, she changed me into the 
frog you saw, before I could say the counter-charm that would 
have saved me. And here I had to stay till some human 
being would spare my life and throw the water over me in- 
stead. The charm has been broken sooner than I could have 
hoped, thanks to you, my Prince. But that ’s enough about 
myself.” Stopping suddenly and looking up at Hardel, with 
a quizzical smile, he continued in his tinkling voice, 44 What 
can I do for you in return?” 

One would travel many a straight mile and many a 
crooked one, too, I’m thinking, ere he found one whom 
[ 30 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

such a question would puzzle ; yet puzzle the Prince it did. 
The only thing he could think of was the white stag he had 
been hunting, still he did not like to ask that. It would 
have been unsportsmanlike. He had always had everything 
that a prince could want. He could think of nothing, 
and said so — adding kindly that his having been, all uncon- 
sciously, the instrument in freeing the little man from his 
plight had added enough to his happiness to make further 
gift from him unnecessary. 

“ Not so,” said the gnome ; then, stooping, he picked a 
smooth round pebble from the ground and tossed it into the 
pool. It must have been a queer stone, for instead of the 
ever-widening rings the Prince had often seen form when he 
threw stones into the water, he now saw the whole pool 
boiling like a caldron over the fire, while huge bubbles rose 
to the surface, exploding with a faint popping noise, and soon 
there emerged a small white hand bearing a silver plate on 
which was a single apricot. 

As the manikin took it, the hand disappeared, and all 
was quiet as before. “Eat this,” said he, presenting the 
apricot to Hardel, as though nothing unusual had occurred. 
“It will help you to win your heart’s desire, though as yet 
you know not what that is.” 

[ 31 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

The Prince took a bite of the dainty fruit and turned to 
speak to him, to see the manikin’s figure growing trans- 
parent and wavering as vapors waver in the air on a very 
hot day. Even as he looked the colors of the gnome’s 
dress — green, gold, and scarlet — seemed to melt into the 
background of leaves and sumach berries. He was gone. 

“A queer little fellow, that,” muttered the Prince to 
himself ; then finishing the apricot, which was very refresh- 
ing, a feeling of drowsiness came over him, and he stretched 
himself in the shade of the oak and fell to watching the 
creamy clouds sail lazily across the Summer sky. 

He was about to drop into a gentle doze when something 
happened that put him wide awake in an instant. An acorn 
dropping on his hand, he looked up for the cause, to find 
that a pair of squirrels had settled for a chat on a limb just 
over his head. He had often watched such little creatures 
before, scampering through the branches, but what made him 
rub his eyes in wonder, thinking he was dreaming, was that 
he could understand their chatter, and more — they were 
gossiping about himself. Then he remembered the apricot 
he had eaten, which had appeared in such a mysterious way, 
and of having read of the famous trees growing in the under- 
ground gardens of the King of the Gnomes, the magic fruit 
[ 32 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

of which would give to the fortunate mortal who tasted it 
the power of understanding the language of birds and animals. 
And indeed he was right, for the little man in the green and 
gold jacket was none other than Speeldig, the King of the 
Gnomes. This priceless gift was his token of gratitude. 


3 


[ 33 ] 






































































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ells-how-the- Princess- 

spent-her-first- Pay-on- 
-the-Mountain- 


CHAPTER THE FOURTH 
Tells how the Princess spent her first Day on 
the Mountain 



MEANWHILE, THE PRIN- 
cess Astrella, in her tower on 
the enchanted mountain, was 
having a rather dull time. 
When she awoke on her six- 
teenth birthday, she missed the 
dainty curtains hanging about 
her bed, and all the quaint and 
pretty things that filled her 
room at home. She realized suddenly what had happened. 
Running to the casement, she saw far below in the green 
valley her father’s palace, reduced to a mere toy in size by the 
distance ; the crowd of people filling the courtyard and lawn 
seemed tiny as swarming ants, while a faint cry rose sadly on 
the morning breeze. It was their mighty shout at the speck 
of gold in the window — the Princess’s copper-gold hair. 
Then the tiny minarets and the straight lines of her old home 
grew warped through her tears. Their lovely Princess was 
only a dear little girl after all, having her first real cry. 

When the numbness of her grief had somewhat passed, she 
began to look for some way out of the tower. The room in 
which she found herself was by no means bare, but furnished 
with chairs and table of curious design. A hideous dragon 
[ 37 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

patterned in the rug stared up at her, while from the walls 
quaint figures woven in the tapestry seemed following her 
with squinting eyes. Old blue-gray china and queerly shaped 
glassware stood on a sideboard in one corner, while round a 
wide chimney-place hung copper pots and shining pans. 

She had barely glanced at these things and was continuing 
her search for the door, when a loud tap startled her, and 
turning quickly she saw the witch Eluesa leaning on her 
broomstick in the centre of the room, her green eyes shining 
with malicious joy. 

44 So pretty Star-eyes has come to stay with her loving 
godmother at last/’ she croaked. 44 And how does she like 
her new home ? To be sure, you ’ve not been here long 
enough to answer yet, but that ’s a thing time will remedy. 
Every morning on opening the little cupboard you’ll find 
your dinner in it, but you must cook it yourself in the pretty 
shining pots, then wash your own dishes, and scrub your own 
floor. A nice time you ’ll have, Lazy-bones ! ” she cried, 
suddenly raising her voice to a yell of rage, for the Princess 
had simply stood looking at her, without word or tear, while 
she had hoped to see her cry. 

44 Here you stay,” she continued, shaking her stick, 44 till a 
prince comes who can pierce my forest there. By the way,” 
[ 38 ] 


were 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

she mocked, with a sudden change of manner, “ you 
looking for the stairway, were n’t you, when I came in ? 
Here it is,” and pulling aside one of the tapestries, she re- 
vealed a high narrow archway, from which a winding stair led 
downward. “ See what you can make of it. This way to 
the garden.” Suiting the action to the word, she began the 
descent herself, with a sharp clatter of high red heels as she 
hopped from step to step, chuckling. 

The Princess listened till the last footfall had died away, 
then sat down to think what next to do. There was the 
stairway, to be sure, but why had the old dame shown it, she 
reasoned, unless probably to play some further trick upon 
her. Still, after listening intently and hearing no sound, she 
concluded to try it, anyway, and cautiously made her way 
down. Round and round it turned, dimly lighted by narrow 
slits cut in the wall of the tower here and there, till, finally, 
quite dizzy with much circling, the girl saw the half-opened 
door leading out before her. Hesitatingly, dreading at every 
step to hear the mocking laugh and be led back again, she 
approached it, then slipping through, darted into the sur- 
rounding wood. Nothing had hindered so far, and faint from 
the rapid beating of her heart, she leaned panting against a 
gnarled trunk well within the forest. 

[ 39 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Noticing that unconsciously she had followed a narrow 
footpath, faintly worn through the moss and partly covered 
by fallen leaves, she soon found she must keep to it, as 
everywhere else the brush was thick and full of thorns and 
brambles that clutched her dress and, twining about her, 
seemed to bar her way and cling like human hands and arms, 
forcing her back at every attempt to pass them. She de- 
termined to keep on down the path, however, though feeling 
that her chance of escape was suddenly grown small. 

Coming at last to a sharp turn in the way, she saw a sight 
that caused her to shrink back behind the bushes, for across 
her path there poured a stream of seething, bubbling pitch, 
from which thick oily smoke arose, while stretched across the 
stream — his green and scaly body now half hidden by the 
vapors, then shimmering dully as some stray beam of sunlight 
fell upon him from a rift in the dense foliage above — a great 
dragon lay sleeping. His enormous head, shaped something 
like that of a crocodile, lay on the farther bank, small jets of 
bluish flame coming with each breath from his scarlet nostrils. 
The bat-like wings, growing just back of the shoulders and 
armed with heavy barbs, were half folded over the back, his 
spine-covered tail creeping with snake-like curves some way 
up the bank and nearly to her feet. Watching him closely 
[ 40 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

and seeing how soundly he slept, she gradually gained cour- 
age, even growing bold enough to touch the huge tail with 
her foot. Finding he showed no sign, she ventured to stand 
upon it, then, holding her breath with terror, started cau- 
tiously to cross the stream on his broad back. The fumes of 
the boiling pitch closed thick and smarting around her, nearly 
choking her, and burning her eyes like pepper, but she kept 
on, and, soon jumping lightly from the hideous head, was 
safely hidden in the thicket at the other side. There, finding 
a tiny pool of clear water, she bent and bathed her feverish 
eyes in its grateful coolness. Stooping closer to drink, she 
was astonished at the reflection that met her gaze. Her hair 
had lost some of its golden hue, her face was thinner, and a 
few faint wrinkles appeared around her eyes and nose, which 
seemed to have grown longer. But it could not be helped, 
she reasoned, and with a sad little sigh, started down the 
path. 

She had not gone far when an enormous rock appeared in 
the road, completely blocking the way, so smoothly polished 
as to afford no foothold to climb by ; moreover, it was large 
as the gardener’s cottage that stood at the gate of the palace 
grounds. She was about to turn back in despair, when she 
carved deep in its side, this legend: “The Princess 
[ 41 ] 


saw, 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

may pass me, and so may the Prince, if — ” and then appeared, 
as though completing the sentence, three sculptured apples 
placed in a row. She had barely read it when, to her surprise, 
the stone commenced sinking gently ; soon she crossed as on 
level ground, and, turning, saw it had risen again. “ The 
first accommodating thing I ’ve met,” she told herself ; then, 
looking at its polished surface that shone mirror-like, she dis- 
covered another change in her appearance. Her back had 
become slightly bent, her hair had quite lost its golden hue, 
while her whole face and form seemed to have grown older, 
so that she felt quite frightened and wondered whether they 
would know her even should she finally succeed in getting 
out. But thinking she would rather be free without her 
golden hair than caged in the tower with it, she trudged 
sturdily along till she came to a tree growing in the very 
middle of the road, its thick branches curiously gnarled and 
twisted, sweeping close to earth, barring the way as com- 
pletely as would a gate. On one of the boughs a large crow 
sat preening his sable plumage. Seeing Astrella approach- 
ing, he picked up a letter that lay beside him, and flapping 
slowly over her head, dropped it at her feet. Considerably 
astonished, she saw it was addressed “ To the Princess As- 
trella from her loving godmother, the Queen of the Wood 
[ 42 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Sprites, greeting.” “ I have succeeded, my dear child,” it 
read, “ by the use of all my power, in sending you this warn- 
ing. The dragon slept, the rock sank into the ground for 
you to pass, and the tree will raise its branches that you may 
go by, should you command it. But do not do so. You saw 
that you changed after passing the stream of boiling pitch, 
then again after crossing the rock ; but stay on this side of 
the tree, for if you go beyond you will never regain your 
beauty, your people will not recognize you as their lovely 
Princess, so you would fare unhappily all the rest of your 
life ; which is just what the old witch has planned. Wait 
here for the Prince, who will surely appear, and go back each 
night to the tower for food and rest. You will regain your 
former looks as you pass by the rock and stream on your way 
back, and lose them again as you come to the tree ; only be 
patient and wait for your Prince, when all will yet come right. 
I send you a tiger, one of my trusted servants, to be your 
playmate and protector. Even the witch will not dare ap- 
proach you while he is by your side, so you will be spared her 
evil company, at least. Do not fear him ; he is your friend, 
and, further, when the princes arrive and try to pass the tree, 
the rock, and the dragon, do not tell them who you are. 
Farewell.” 


[ 43 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

It all happened as the letter had said. She passed over the 
rock and the dragon’s back, no longer afraid, tears of thank- 
fulness in her eyes as she realized she had a friend to help her. 
She found the tiger waiting for her at the tower door, and 
flew to him, throwing her arms around his neck and laying 
her cheek on his silky head, while he loudly purred his greet- 
ings. That night she went to bed far happier than she had 
dared hope to be, and feeling herself safe, her faithful friend 
and guardian being at the door. 

Each day thereafter she sat with the tiger just inside the 
boundary of the magic tree, and watched the princes who 
came from far and near trying to cut the branches or climb 
over or through them ; but as fast as some branches were 
chopped others grew in their places. Obliged to give over 
in despair, many of the princes reviled her, thinking she was 
the witch, as they saw her through the boughs, sitting calmly 
watching them ; and some of them, muttering that the Prin- 
cess was probably not so beautiful as report had it, and hardly 
worth their trouble, went sulkily away. 

But to all she answered not a word, for each time a new 
prince arrived to try his fortune, she felt that he was not the 
one, and her heart did not go out to him — otherwise she 
had spoken, and the tree would have lifted its branches. 

[ 44 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

This power was the reward she had earned through her 
courage in crossing by the dragon’s back. She could help 
her Prince in the first of his tasks, though the rock and the 
dragon still would confront him. Thus she had a slight 
chance of choosing her Prince for herself, in a way, which is 
more than most princesses have. 


[ 45 ] 













\ 






* 

' 






























‘ 





• 1 J 

. 













































CHAPTER THE FIFTH 

In which the Prince sees the Face in 
the Pool 


LE SQUIRRELS WERE 
certainly gossiping, and the 
Prince was the subject of their 
chatter. There was no doubt 
of it ; so he lay very quiet, 
dreading to make the slightest 
stir that might cause them to 
scamper beyond his hearing. 
The one who had just spoken 
selected an acorn with care, — 
as one who had relieved his mind and was willing to take 
the consequences. 

“You do not know him as well as I do,” said his friend, 
peering over the bough at Hardel, a benevolent twinkle in his 
bright eye. “ He is not at all lazy, as you remarked. He has 
been hunting, to be sure, which I do not approve of, any more 
than you,” — with a slight shudder, — “ but with the exception 
of his fondness for the chase, which all our family abhor, 
he has practically no faults — in my opinion.” 

“The queerest thing of all,” replied the first, having 
finished his acorn and settled himself in a more comfortable 
position, prepared to enjoy the pleasure of a good digestion 
and that of conversation as well. “The oddest thing yet 
4 [ 49 ] 



THE FACE IN THE POOL 

is that he thinks he is happy. But between you and me, 
it is n’t so ; and, what is more, he won’t be till he sees the 
Princess.” 

“ Upon my word, you astonish me. I thought he cared 
nothing at all for the fair ones,” said his friend, waving a paw 
in the direction of the palace, with quite the society air. In 
fact, they both seemed to be members of the upper circle 
of Squirreldom, and followed so closely the manners of the 
courtiers that the Prince could scarcely refrain from chuck- 
ling aloud. 

“ Oh, no,” replied the other, daintily brushing off a crumb 
that had lodged on his whisker, and examining his nails with 
attention. “He is young yet, you know; besides, I do not 
refer to any of the court ladies ; the Princess I had in mind 
is Astrella of Elgardane. Just now she is rather badly off, 
I fancy, being shut up in a tower on the top of a mountain 
within sight of her father’s palace, — enchanted, of course, as 
they all are, and waiting for the Prince that can set her free. 
I believe our Prince there, after seeing her, would make the 
trial,” he continued, musingly. “She is the most beautiful 
girl you can imagine. I saw her once before she was in the 
witch’s power; charming, I assure you,” and he half closed 
his eyes in retrospect. 


[ 50 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

“But how can he see her, in her present position?” 
inquired his friend, much interested. 

“ Oh, nothing easier,” the other returned. “ All he need 
do is to gather a bunch of the crimson berries yonder, squeeze 
them in the pool, and while their juice dyes the water he can 
see her, as in a mirror. But come, dear boy, it ’s getting quite 
late. We shall barely be in time to hear the Nightingale, 
who has promised to sing his latest ‘Ode to the Summer 
Moon 5 for the Bulfinch’s ‘at home.’” 

Whereon they both rose, and, with some slight ceremony 
as to precedence, departed through the leaves. 

The Prince lay musing some time after the gossips had 
gone, scarcely believing his ears ; then thinking that maybe 
the animals might be wiser in some things than were men, 
he determined to test the virtue of the berries. Rising, he 
gathered a bunch from the spot the squirrel had indicated 
to his mate. “ There can be no harm in trying,” he said to 
himself, “ and no one is by to laugh if it come to naught.” 

Thus turning the matter in his mind, he approached the 
pool, and squeezing the berries in his hand, watched the 
purple-crimson juice tint the clear liquid. At first it did 
nothing more, and he was about to rise, disappointed, when 
he noticed other colors were forming amid the red, running 
[ 51 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

here and there in patterns ever shifting, yet slowly beginning 
to take permanent form. 

He saw through the changing shades the silhouette of a 
forest that gradually became more distinct, till the branches 
cut clearly against the sky. The greensward at the feet of 
the giant trunks took a more brilliant hue ; the flowers and 
stones grew quite plain ; and as he knelt, lost in wonder at 
the sight, the slender form of a maid appeared crossing the 
open space, a magnificent tiger walking by her side with sinu- 
ous grace, proud of the white hand she had laid affectionately 
on his velvet shoulder. Her supple form, clothed in soft-hued 
yet brilliant texture, moved with as lithe a freedom as that 
of her companion, and as she paused, gazing off through the 
wood, he noted the splendid color of her hair, gleaming rich 
gold against the gray-purples of the forest shade as a crown 
would gleam upon its velvet cushion, and thought never had 
he seen a thing so lovely. As yet he had caught no glimpse 
of her face, but now she turned her queenly head till she 
seemed to look directly at him, and he saw the lovely fea- 
tures, clear cut and pure as marble, but lacking its coldness, 
suffused with soft tones that bathed with creamy color the 
brows and stately throat, glowing to a delicious rosy pink 
on her downy cheeks and growing warmer to the hue of 
[ 52 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

ripe pomegranate upon her perfect lips. Her eyes held con- 
quering sway above all else ; lovely as a fawn’s, they seemed 
to change in color with every pulsing of her heart, — now 
softest brown, then deepening to royal purple, anon changing 
to lustrous gray, looking straight into his. So close they 
appeared, he reached out his hand to her, only to plunge it 
in the water. A ripple passed over the vision ; it wavered 
as a gauzy veil in the breeze, then, melting to changing 
bubble tints, was there no more. 

Eagerly catching up the remaining berries by his side, he 
wrung them over the spot where her face had vanished, but 
they merely crimsoned the crystal water in quite the usual 
way. The charm would work no more, and Hardel rose with 
something swiftly heaving in his breast, to seek his horse, 
grazing near by, with the memory of a vision of two sad 
velvety eyes before his own. 

“ The little man was right,” he murmured, as he swung into 
the saddle. “ I did not know my heart’s desire. But I am 
wiser now. To-morrow I start upon my quest, to win her 
if I may!” 

And ever the hoofs of his charger seemed to beat but one 
refrain : “ To win her if I may.” 


[ 53 ] 






ow the-Fri nee- returned 
o lrellam-and of- e>c 
reamhe- hadby-theW ay< 


CHAPTER THE SIXTH 

How the Prince returned to Pellam, and of a 
Dream he had by the Way 



N RETURNING TO HIS HUNTING 


lodge the Prince at once gave orders 
to break camp, and by the fol- 
lowing morning the long train of 
huntsmen, falconers, grooms, cooks, 
scullions, and muleteers, with shout 


^ggj-and song urging their heavily 
laden beasts to the limit of their 
speed, wended through glade and 
wooded copse, on the narrow path 


to Pellam ; for the Prince was right anxious to be on his 
journey, and needed only his father’s consent to set forth 
at once. 

Camping that night amid a grove of huge cedars that 
reared their noble heads above and about the quiet caravan, 
the Prince could hardly sleep for thinking of the Princess as 
he had seen her pictured in the pool. As he lay gazing at 
the stars glowing in the mighty dome that arched the world, 
he wondered if she, too, from her high-perched tower, could 
be watching them and the sailing moon ploughing its way 
through fleecy clouds that, borrowing its light, shone for the 
moment like royal mantles lined with ermine ; anon, through 
clearer spaces, where the blinking stars retired modestly before 


[ 57 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

its glory like courtiers bowing at the passage of their queen. 
So, streaming with mellow light, the gibbous moon rolled on 
its way, a fairy boat all silver, in an enchanted sea, to weave 
strange fancies in Prince Hardel’s dreams. When at last he 
slept, it seemed he stood within a forest glade ; around him 
strange figures leaped amid the gloom of shadowy trunks, 
weird faces mouthed, and goblins danced fantastic. These 
fading, there appeared instead a castle bleak against a leaden 
sky, its gateway guarded by shadowy sentinels. From out 
its portals came low murmuring. The sombre outlines waved 
suddenly, then, changing slowly, were transformed to the like- 
ness of a giant, club in hand, his fiery eyes bent on him 
menacingly. This in its turn gave place to other fantasies. 
A crowd of maids sat spinning, while before his eyes a 
flask and sword were brandished high by wrinkled, claw-like 
hands. Anon, he was a-horse, upon a steed that flew at fear- 
ful speed toward something dark and strange that barred 
the way. Almost he felt the shock of an encounter; then 
suddenly he found himself in sunny fields, through which 
a tiny brook ran babbling at his feet. Upon its other 
side the Princess stood, a smiling welcome in her eyes, 
her hands outstretched ; but as he pressed his horse to 
leap the stream, lo! it had changed into a furious tor- 
[ 58 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

rent, that rolled its waves between, drenching him with 
icy spray. 

So he awoke to find the dawn had come with heavy 
skies, shedding a chilling rain that numbed him as he rose 
and sought the shelter of his tent. 

All of that day the little company wormed along the nar- 
row mountain roads, till by mid-afternoon the Summer storm 
had rolled a welcome parting call far to the east. Then the 
sun, long smothered, peered forth once more to shoot a 
thousand golden lances at the last few clouds, hurrying on 
their way to join the disappearing host, like footsore strag- 
glers of a mighty vanguard. It was not long till, cheered 
by the warming sky, while all nature smiled but the sweeter 
from its recent tears, they capped the last steep ridge and 
looked again upon the city of Pellam, spread in the valley at 
their feet. The red-tiled roofs and creamy stone had been 
washed fresh and clear; the vale was dotted here and there 
with the soft greens of clustering yew, or oak and cypress ; 
tall poplars standing sentry at the gates of the palace, which 
raised its many towers high above all, flashing with the 
orange light of waning day. 

Clattering merrily down, they passed beneath the great 
arch of the gate just as the warder’s cry was echoing 
[ 59 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

from its walls. So on with jingling bit and silver-ringing 
harness, through streets lined with gaping townsfolk crowd- 
ing to mark the passage of their Prince, up the broad drive 
to the palace steps, where stood the King to welcome home 
his son. 

After the feast held to celebrate his safe return, the Prince, 
alone at last with the King, told him of the strange things 
that had befallen in the last few days, — of the little man 
by the pool, of his strange gift and how it had appeared, 
then of the squirrels’ chatter, the vision of his Lady in the 
berry-dyed water, and last, the weird dream that came the 
night before. The King was sore anxious, while yet it glad- 
dened him ; for it had long been his wish that the Prince 
should marry, and while he had not spoken of it to him, had 
hoped the young man would soon find a maid to whom his 
heart would turn. He knew the high courage of his son, 
yet dreaded the trials that must beset his path, to win the 
lady of his dreams ; for he could plainly see the fairy folk 
were mixing in the matter, as they so often did in those old 
days when knights, with lance in hand, rode out to win then- 
way through unknown lands to meet their hearts’ desire. 
And so it should be now, he murmured to himself, as, 
looking at the Prince, he thought that seldom had he seen 
[ 60 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

so promising an adventurer. No longer the merry boy he 
had appeared till then, — a lad just budding into manhood, 
— the Prince stood tall and straight before the King. Short 
curling hair, a rich dark brown, framed his handsome head ; 
on his features a manly courage had set its stamp, from 
the shapely though well-squared chin and firm yet kindly 
lips to the straight, clear-cut nose and broad fair brow, 
beneath which the brave brown eyes looked wistfully into 
his father’s. 

44 You shall start upon the morrow, if you will it,” said the 
King; then rising and passing his hand across his forehead, 
as though thus wiping away the last of his fears, he caught 
the Prince in his embrace : 44 May the elves that have so far 
befriended you keep steadfast in your service on the way.” 


L 61 ] 















Hnwhich* the-Rrince 
M rides • forthupon* 

his Quest* 




CHAPTER THE SEVENTH 

In which the Prince rides forth upon 
his Quest 




HE PRINCE WAS UP 


greeting as though anxious 
for the start, and getting 
the few things he was to 
carry on his journey prop- 
erly placed behind the 


betimes the following day, 
seeing to the grooming of 
Bayard, his barb, who 
whinnied him a joyous 


saddle and in his wallet. He had elected to travel alone, 
without squire or serving man, and after farewells to the King 
and the hosts of friends assembled to say good-bye, he jogged 
slowly down the valley road, through splashes of cool shade 
and rifts of early golden sunshine, turning often in the saddle 
to watch the turrets and red roofs of his birthplace sink 
slowly into the waves of soft green foliage, as some fair island 
on an emerald sea. 

Downy clouds sailed leisurely across a sky of quivering 
blue, a gentle breeze hummed softly through the scarcely 
moving branches from which a myriad of birds sang to the 
balmy air, while far away flocks of sheep and cattle, tiny in the 
distance, grazed peacefully upon the swelling pastureland. A 


5 


[ 65 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

mare, with frisking, timid colt beside, stood wide-eyed by the 
road and greeted Bayard as they came up, trotting abreast 
for a little. 

“ Whither away ? ” she hailed the war horse, little thinking 
the Prince could understand her and was listening intently 
to every word. 

“ On a quest for a Princess,” he whinnied in answer, “ and 
a long jaunt at that, I ’m thinking.” 

“ You are right,” she replied ; “ longer than you expect, for 
my friend the ground-hog, who lives just beyond the willows 
in the pasture yonder, and whose burrow leads down nearly 
to the roof of the green gnome’s dining-hall, from which he 
can hear every word spoken, told me that last night they 
were talking about your master.” 

“Well, well! and what then?” neighed Bayard, much 
interested. 

“ This,” said the mare with the unction of a born gossip : 
“ The little man the Prince freed from enchantment at the 
pool was Speeldig, the King of the Gnomes, a very genial, 
kind-hearted old gentleman, who had freed an elf from a 
split tree trunk, where he had been imprisoned by the fierce 
old witch Eluesa, whom they all hate so. This aroused her 
wrath, and at the first chance she changed the King into a 
[ 66 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

frog. The King gave the Prince an apricot from his orchard, 
though just what magic properties it possessed the ground- 
hog was unable to learn ; but, what is more to the point, all 
the gnomes and good fairies are grateful to the Prince and 
will help him all they can toward success. He will be guided 
unconsciously by them to achieve the adventures of the three 
enchanted castles, which he must do before he can find the 
means to pierce the forest that girdles the mountain where 
the Princess Astrella sits in her tower. I, for my part, hope 
he may win her. He is a comely youth.” 

44 And a good master,” added the charger gaily, nickering 
his adieus, as he left her gazing after them, with her colt 
gambolling in the road, mimicking the gallop of the Prince’s 
mount. 

For all of that day and the two following Prince Hardel 
kept the western road, passing through villages that nestled 
under the protection of the baron’s castle perched high upon 
a neighboring crag, or by some peasant’s cot set within a 
bower of willow, yew, and cypress. Fresh-cheeked farmer 
lasses served him milk in earthern bowls, or curds and oaten 
cakes baked in the ashes of their simple ovens, yet savoring 
sweeter to his sharpened appetite than capon in a silver dish. 
Now resting by the edge of a clear spring that, rippling from 

[ 67 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

the rock, had formed a pool set like a silver amulet to mirror 
forth the sky and waving branches overhead, he turned his 
horse agraze, and, gathering berries, pressed out their juices 
till the clear depths of the pool were purpled, hoping once 
more to see the fair face of the maiden of his dreams. In 
vain. Yet still it mattered little. His eyes half closed, he 
conjured up at will what he had already seen, the soft sad 
eyes, the gracious form, the hand so fair and slender that 
lay upon the tiger’s shoulder. 

Thus riding on through drowsy noons, brisk mornings, and 
calm eventides, meeting few upon the road and never tarrying 
the night where he might be known, he came to the broad 
river that marked the boundary of his father’s kingdom, and 
felt that his adventures had begun at last. The ferry boat, 
in charge of a wry-backed little man whose long, sinewy 
arms were of prodigious strength, had neither oars nor sail, 
but swung from a pulley over a huge rope that spanned 
the stream from side to side. Leading his steed into the 
craft, himself standing in the stern, the Prince watched the 
hunchback at his task. Placing both vigorous hands about 
the rope, he drew the barge swiftly through the foaming 
waters to the other shore. 

“ I thank your Highness,” said the fellow, looking from 
[ 68 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

the gold piece in his palm up at Hardel. His face was singu- 
larly old and wrinkled ; his eyes, long narrow slits pointing 
downward toward his nose, were of a greenish yellow, cat- 
like, blazing with a hideously fascinating gleam, that made a 
shudder pass over the Prince as he realized that the boat- 
man was not of the people of the world. “ I thank you 
for your bounty,” he continued in low-pitched, growling 
tones. “ Here, with the passing of the river, you leave 
your own land behind, and come on strange places that 
you know not of, so I would proffer this advice as to the 
first of them : Some hours’ ride from here, as you are casting 
about for a lodging over night, you will see built on a 
terrace near the way a fine large mansion. Velvet lawns 
are all about it, the shrubs and trees on which are clipped 
in quaint design of bird and beast. From out its doors 
the sound of lutes and sweet-singing voices pulse on the 
evening air, while from the windows fair maids and hand- 
some knights will beckon you. But pass them by to take 
the first cow-path that branches from the road due south, 
and follow it till you find a charcoal-burner’s hut half 
hidden by great trees, around whose homely porch a rose- 
vine clambers, bearing black flowers. Enter there to pass 
the night, fearing nothing and taking what chance befalls.” 

[ 69 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

So saying he turned abruptly, and, with a few pulls of 
his sinewy arms, was soon beyond earshot of any question 
the Prince might have cared to ask. 

Musing on the curious appearance of the dwarf and his 
still more strange advice, Hardel rode slowly on into the 
deepening gloom, to come at last, just as the evening air 
was growing chill, to the mansion on the terrace, all as 
the ferryman had said. There stretched the lawn, smooth 
as a carpet, its surface dotted with the shrubs fantastically 
clipped to represent here a swan, a rooster, or a dog, while 
yonder elephants, a lion, and a wild boar seemed standing 
as at bay. The sweetest music trembled on the breeze, 
while from the windows, bright with many colored lights, 
fair figures beckoned him, and some, as he thought, even 
called to him by name. Bayard, weary with the day’s 
long march, was for turning up the broad gravelled path, 
scenting good provender within ; but the Prince, remember- 
ing suddenly the words of the boatman, though the music 
had nearly mastered his senses, reined him sharply back, 
and, spurring up the road, soon came to a narrow path 
winding into the maze of a wood. 

Up this he went more slowly, dodging the low-hanging 
branches that threatened to sweep him from his seat, till, 

[ 70 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

half hidden by the jealous trees, as he had been told, he came 
upon a low thatched cottage, round whose squat door a 
rose-vine grew with rank luxuriance, its coal-black blossoms 
freighting the air with a delicious fragrance. Dismounting, 
he approached and rapped briskly on the panel. Slow 
shuffling, as of heavy feet, sounded from within, a light 
shone beneath the sill, and the door opened, disclosing a 
thin old man, his kindly face illumined by the candle he 
held shaded with scooped fingers, his gray eyes peering un- 
certainly into the gathering dusk. 

“ Only a traveller, full weary, who would ask your 
hospitality for the night,” was the Prince’s greeting. 

“ And welcome to such as my poor hut and fare can 
provide,” replied the charcoal-burner, — for such he was, — 
indicating a lean-to in the rear where the Prince found a 
truss of hay, with oats and bedding in plenty for his horse. 
Then, when Hardel had seen to the comfort of his mount, 
the old man ushered him into the single room that formed 
the interior of the cottage, showed him the bed (a sack of 
straw ) where he could lie, and spread upon the board 
cheese, goat’s milk, coarse black bread, beechnuts, and 
blackberries fresh gathered from the bushes that hedged the 
house about. 


[ 71 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

“ Such as it is, you are welcome,” he repeated, eying 
his guest with a kindly smile. “Were my dear daughter 
here to play the cup-bearer, you would have no cause 
for complaint.” 

“ Is she away, or, mayhap, dead ? ” the Prince asked 
sympathetically. 

“Ah, no,” replied the old man gently. “It is a strange 
tale, and you, if you will, may hear it as you break your 
fast.” So saying, and drawing his stool to the rough table, 
though eating but sparingly of the food, he began the 
story of his daughter Alaryede. 


[ ™ ] 




ont&ins-the-Ch&rcoail 

burner’s -^toryof- hi s • 
Daughter- Alary ede • 


CHAPTER THE EIGHTH 


Contains the Charcoal-burner’s Story of his 
Daughter Alaryede 




|ER MOTHER DIED 
twelve years ago, when the 
lass was yet a child of five, 
leaving me lonely here, poor 
ignorant fellow that I am, to 
bring her up as best I might, 
which would have been but 
ill were not the maid exceed- 
j,ing bright both in mind and 


disposition. Sunny as a day in June, which golden month 
best matched her moods, singing she went about the house- 
hold tasks that she soon took from off my hands, doing them 
far better than I, leaving me free to tend my charcoal fires 
in the wood. Being so much alone, she took to wandering 
about the lanes and through the fields, gathering here and 
there a flower or rare shrub to bring home with her and 
plant in a garden she had made about the place. One day, 
straying farther than was her wont, she came to where four 
roads met. In the centre of the cross thus formed there 
stood a sign-post with painted arms that showed the way. 
At its foot an old woman all in black lay huddled, apparently 
asleep or overcome with weariness. 

“Alaryede, her kind heart touched, gently roused her, 


[ ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

asking what she could do to aid. Searching beneath her cloak, 
the dame brought forth a small copper pannikin, motioning 
to have it filled at a spring hard by. She drank of it greedily, 
and thanking the girl, muttered that she had travelled far 
that day, and hungered. Alaryede at once produced her 
wallet and set her simple lunch before the woman, to which 
she applied herself ravenously, eating it all in huge mouth- 
fuls gulped down with draughts from the water remaining 
in the copper dish, and wheezing grunts of satisfaction the 
while. When she had finished what lay in her lap she 
searched the wallet with bony fingers for the last few crumbs, 
leaving no morsel for her hostess. 

“ Considerably astonished at such selfishness, Alaryede, 
though she was herself quite hungry, smiled on her, and 
hoping she was refreshed, was about to go her way, when 
the old dame motioned her to tarry, croaking, “ Something 
for nothing never made a good bargain,” and picking three 
black pebbles that lay at hand, dropped them into the copper 
cup, then handed it to the maid, saying : 

Plant these by your doorstep, and water them three 
times from this cup at midnight. There will grow from them 
a rose-tree that shall clamber about the porch, bearing black 
blooms of a most sweet scent, whose leaves, when baked 
[ 76 ] 



Baising the salver, she hade him pledge 
her in the goblet (Page hi) 




THE FACE IN THE POOL 

within a cake, shall have the power of casting whoever eats 
of it into a dreamless sleep that lasts for hours. Yet one 
word more: Beware the fawn whose neck bears a golden 
collar.’ 

“ She had barely ceased speaking when her face grew 
darker in hue, her hands became more claw-like, she shrank 
in size, and soon not the old dame but a raven of glossy 
black stood by the sign-post, watching Alaryede from beady 
eyes. With a caw that was half a chuckle, it rose on 
flapping wing, soaring above the highest pines, to dwindle, 
a mere speck in the distance and vanish from her wondering 
gaze. 

“On her return Alaryede planted the stones and tended 
them as bidden, to see the rose-tree grow, even as it is now. 
Summer and Winter it blooms the same, and where a rose 
is plucked, another fills its place at once. A few more 
words, and I am done. Twelve months had rolled away, 
Autumn had spread her richest dyes, the Winter stripped 
the trees in turn of scarlet, gold, and brown, hanging the 
sky with drab and piling deep drifts about the cabin walls. 
Spring came again to break the icy fetters of the brook and 
coax the modest violet to raise its timid face up toward a 
sky of yet more tender blue, and Summer, thickening the 
[ 77 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

forest with its wealth of leaves, stretching rich carpets — green, 
gold, crimson-purple, white, and mauve — over the meadows 
as far as the eye could reach. We had been very happy that 
year, Alaryede and I. She had grown more lovely day by 
day, the joy of her old father’s heart, when, rambling in the 
fields, gathering a blossom here and there, as was her way, 
she paused at the edge of a tiny stream. She spread her 
luncheon on a flat-topped rock, watching, as she ate, the 
bright- winged insects skim its surface, the silver flash of fish 
leaping for their prey, and was lulled by the drowsy hum 
of bees gathering their Winter store busily through the w r arm 
noontide. So still she lay that a fawn which appeared from 
a copse of beech a stone’s throw to the left, limping on one 
forefoot, approached quite close and paused to drink at the 
stream, not noticing her; then, turning, made his way back 
toward the trees. Seeing how lame he was, and hoping to 
capture him for a pet, she rose and started in pursuit. He 
quickened his pace when he saw her following, managing to 
keep just beyond her reach. Now he was almost hers, now 
with a greater effort widening the distance between them, 
till, almost before she was aware how far she had followed, 
she found herself in a strange place deep in the forest and 
surrounded by six odd-looking men garbed in green and 
[ 78 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

yellow. One of them caught the fawn, who wore about 
his neck a slender chain of gold, unnoticed by her till then, 
in the eagerness of the chase. Dazed for the moment, she 
yet remembered what the crow-woman had said, and, darting 
back, would have fled, but was instantly seized by the nearest 
man, who, holding her firmly, indicated a gloomy castle that 
loomed gray through the distant leaves, motioning that she 
must go with them. 

“Numb with terror, she nearly swooned, for well she 
knew that before her was the Castle of the Hundred 
Maidens, where a hideous crone held captive many sweet 
damsels, who kept the hundred magic wheels humming that 
spun her flax into gold. 

“ There she is to this day,” continued the charcoal-burner, 
and added in a broken voice, “there, no doubt, she will 
remain, toiling with the unhappy maids in the great vaulted 
room, at a task that never ends, from which none have ever 
escaped. Is she not dead to me ? ” He buried his face in his 
trembling hands. The candle guttered in its socket, and all 
was dark. 

Not wishing to disturb the old man in his grief, the 
Prince rose softly, and groping his way to the corner where 
was the sack of straw, stretched himself out upon it, thinking 
[ ™ ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

of the tale just told and striving his best for sleep. How 
long he slept, he knew not. When he awoke, it was with 
the curious feeling that he had dreamed, but what, he 
could not recall. From the far corner of the room sounded 
the heavy breathing of the charcoal-burner, while through 
the window streamed a shaft of moonlight, which, falling 
on the rough-tiled floor, lay quivering, a pool of silver in the 
gloom. In its very centre stood the little man who had 
given him the apricot (it seemed an age ago), dressed as he 
had been then, even to the cap with long, slender peak hang- 
ing far down his back. He was stroking his beard and gazing 
on Hardel with musing benevolence. 

“Would you like to rescue the charcoal-burner’s daugh- 
ter ? ” he asked abruptly, as though resuming a conversation. 

44 I should indeed,” replied the Prince, so surprised that for 
a moment he could not speak, 44 and can you tell me how ? ” 

44 That is a simple matter,” said the gnome , 4 4 only requiring 
brains, courage, and the proper tools. When you rise in the 
morning you will find the charcoal-burner gone to the forest, 
after having spread a breakfast of milk and wheaten cakes 
upon the table for his guest. Eat of them heartily, for you 
will need all your strength ; then go to the rose-bush, gather 
the largest blossom you can find, and chop it fine with your 
[ 80 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

hunting-knife ; then mix it with flour from the cupboard, and 
kneading it with the milk left in the pitcher, round the mass 
nicely and bake it in the oven. The magic of the leaves will 
cause it to rise and become light and brown, so when it is 
done any one who sees it will long for a taste. But do not put 
it to your lips, tempting as it will look. Wrap it, instead, 
carefully in a napkin, and set it to cool on the window-sill. 
When you have watered and groomed your horse, put the 
cake in your wallet, and note the highest fir-tree in the sky line 
of forest. Ride straight to its base, where you will see a hare 
dash from its burrow among the roots. Follow it. All I can 
add is this : divide the cake among the archers, and take 
from the chief his silver-tipped arrows and bow of yew. Slay 
the unicorn and feed with his heart the beast-men at the draw- 
bridge. The silver-tipped arrows will overcome the power of 
the witch, and allow you to take for yourself what lies in the 
chest she sits upon.” 

The little old gentleman finished his advice at headlong 
speed, for as he spoke he was melting rapidly into the moon- 
light, from his feet up. Toward the last, no more than his 
head and wagging beard remained ; while at the final word, 
a few stray gray locks fluttered a moment in the air, then, 
mingling with the silver light, completely passed away. 

[ 81 ] 


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H| nwhich-istold-howit- 
|y fared -with -the- Prince-in- 
his-first-Adventure,theCastle 
of- the -Hundred- Maidens • 


CHAPTER THE NINTH 


In which is told how it fared with the 
Prince in his first Adventure, the 
Castle of the Hundred Maidens 



IN THE MORNING THE PRINCE 
awoke, to find the sunlight streaming where the 
moon’s rays had danced the night before, 
and his host gone to his fires in the for- 
est. Upon the table were the jug of 
milk and the wheaten cakes, all as the 
gnome had said. 

His fast soon broken, he rose, and 
gathering the largest sable flower, as he 
had been told, chopped and mixed it with flour from a 
large sack in the cupboard. Kneading it with the milk 
he had been careful to save, he raked the embers to- 
gether and placed the dough in the oven. It was baked 
much more quickly than the Prince expected, for when 
he ventured a peep he saw the heavy lump had changed 
into a handsome gold-brown cake that would have been 
a source of pride to the most skilful housewife. Taking 
it out, he could scarcely refrain from picking at the mellow- 
tinted crust, so flaky and delicious did it look; but, wrap- 
ping it in the napkin with all speed, to overcome further 
temptation, he placed it on the window-ledge and sought 
the lean-to where Bayard was already impatiently calling 
for his morning rub and fodder. When he had brushed his 
[ 85 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

horse’s satin coat until it shone again, and watched the good 
fellow eat and drink his fill, saddled and bridled he led 
him to where the cake lay, now cool, upon the sill. 
Placing it carefully in his wallet, he mounted, and, look- 
ing toward the forest, easily determined the tree Speeldig 
had indicated, a giant fir rearing a proud head high above 
its fellows. 

Cantering gaily across the field, he came shortly to the 
tree, not far within the belt of tree-land, to see a hare, 
with velvet ears laid back upon her gray fur coat, slip 
nimbly from her burrow under a huge gnarled root. Wind- 
ing in and out among the trunks and through the under- 
brush that laced them thickly, he had all he could do to 
keep her in sight, and was busily intent upon his task, 
avoiding the clutching branches as well as he might with 
eyes fixed upon her flying heels, when he was startled by a 
hoarse cry close by his side : “ Out of the range ! Keep 

out of the range ! ” 

Reining his charger abruptly, he saw he had come to a 
glade where a half-dozen foresters had set up a hide painted 
with white and black circles, and, armed with long bows, 
were using it as a target for their cloth-yard shafts. A 
weird-looking crew they were, their faces showing none of 
[ 86 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

the generous hues that tint with rosy health the cheeks of 
those who lead an out-door life, but being of sallow gray 
that shaded into a loathly green. Their eyes, red-rimmed 
and baggy, shone with a baleful lustre as they stared, 
gathered grimly about Hardel, who, concealing as best 
he might the horror with which they inspired him, had 
dismounted. All dressed alike in jerkin and hose of wood- 
man fashion, cut from cloth marked with broad green 
and yellow stripes, they resembled one another even more 
closely in face and form than in their raiment. So near 
alike were they that one could not be distinguished from 
another. One of the band differed from the rest in that 
he had a baldric and horn of silver slung over his broad 
shoulder and athwart his arching chest. 

44 I am truly sorry to be the cause of interrupting your 
sport,” said the Prince, in a conciliatory tone, indicating the 
target in which a few arrows were already fixed, 64 and 
would join in the game, if I may.” 

44 And what will you wager on your skill ? ” inquired he 
of the baldric, who seemed the leader of the company. 

“This cake,” replied Hardel, pulling it from his wallet 
and extending it to the archer, 44 against your silver horn.” 

The forester looked long and eagerly at the dainty 
[ 87 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

morsel, to be filled, as the Prince had hoped, by its 
magic properties, with a strong desire to taste. “It is a 
bargain,” he growled ; then, striding to the target, plucked 
out the arrows, and, returning, motioned to one of his men 
to shoot. 

Placing his foot on the flat white rock that marked the 
distance, the fellow bent his long bow deliberately, placing 
his arrow well within the third black ring. The second 
fared no better, the third and fourth clipped the second 
ring, while the fifth shot well within the first. Amid a 
deep silence, the chief, stepping to the mark, carefully 
fitted his arrow on the cord, and bending the supple yew 
once and again, as though to feel his shot before the arrow 
sped, let loose his shaft with such marvellous skill and 
steady hand as to plant it quivering in the very centre of 
the bull’s eye. 

“ A hit ! a hit ! ” was the cry, as the chief, turning to 
where Hardel stood, proffered him his bow and an arrow 
with a mocking leer. 

“ I will not even try,” said the Prince, smiling. “ No 
man could better such a shot. The prize is fairly won.” 

Without a word, the archer, placing the cake on the flat 
white rock from which they had been shooting, drew his 
[ 88 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

hunting-knife and divided it into six equal parts — one to 
each man ; then squatting in a circle, they ate it to the 
last crumb. The Prince standing bridle in hand, watched 
with curious eyes, to see first one and then another stretch, 
yawn, and measure his length on the sward, till, over- 
come with heavy slumber, they all lay without the slightest 
motion of their powerful bodies, looking, with their green- 
ish-gray faces, more like dead men than ever. Creeping 
softly near, the Prince knelt beside their leader, drawing 
his great bow of yew from his nerveless hand, and, un- 
buckling the quiver of silver-tipped arrows with the baldric 
and hunting-horn, slung them over his own shoulders. 

Mounting his horse at a little distance from the ring of 
sleeping men, he was proceeding on his way when he noticed 
the hare in front, doubling and twisting as before. Spurring 
after, he was soon speeding on the chase again, when a loud 
snort and a wild trampling of brush caused him to draw aside 
suddenly, just as a great beast, in shape somewhat like to an 
enormous horse, came charging toward him with fiery eyes 
and foaming jaws. Its coat was rough and shaggy, and from 
its head projected a long, spiral horn, which just grazed 
Bayard’s flank. Leaping nimbly from the saddle, the Prince 
placed his back to the nearest tree, drawing his sword as he 
[ 89 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

did so, in time to see the monster wheel, scattering the leaves 
and stones like chaff, and return to the attack with the speed 
of a whirlwind, its lowered horn pointing straight as a lance 
at where he stood against the tree. Then did his skill in the 

A ^ 

tilt yard stand him in good stead, as leaping aside, he so par- 
ried the stroke, holding his sword-hilt with both hands and 
throwing the whole strength of arms and body into the effort, 
that the terrible thing swerved and buried its weapon half 
way to the skull in the tough wood of the oak, bellowing 
with rage till the forest rang to the echo. Swinging his 
blade, he struck blow upon blow in a gleaming swirl of 
steel at the heavy neck, till, parting from its hideous head, 
the huge body fell scuffling and striking to the ground, 
where, stiffening suddenly, it lay still, while the Prince, 
wiping the beads of terror from his brow, sank exhausted 
among the leaves. 

Then, the words of the gnome coming clearly to his mind, 
he staggered to his feet, drew his poniard, cut out the still 
quivering heart, and dried it on the leaves and grass, to wrap 
it in the napkin in which the cake had been ; then slinging 
it from his saddle bow, he rode on in the direction from which 
the beast had come, the way clearly marked by snapped 
saplings and sod torn by furious hoofs. He had not gone 
[ 90 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

far, and was wondering whether he should not have waited 
in the hope of once more seeing the hare he had hitherto 
followed, and whether he was on the right road, when he 
became aware of a low humming sound, and saw he was 
arrived at the edge of a broad moat, surrounding a castle of 
gray stone, from which the noise seemed to proceed. No 
flag or pennon waved on the battlements, no tree grew near 
the walls to relieve their cold, hard lines. Straight they rose 
from their foundations, without loophole or embrasure, en- 
closing a single large, round tower that rose above them, 
having four smaller ones projecting from it, one at each point 
of the compass, the whole bearing rather the appearance of 
a prison than the stronghold of a feudal chief. The draw- 
bridge was down, spanning the blackish water to its gate, 
at either side of which stood a figure of immense proportions, 
clad in complete armor, except as to the head ; there the 
likeness to man ceased, for it was not the head of a human 
being, but of an animal. The one on the right bore the head 
of a lion ; the other that of a wolf. Their fierce yellow eyes 
were fixed upon him with a frightful stare. Froth formed 
about their gnashing jaws and gleaming teeth. Plucking the 
unicorn’s heart from out the napkin at his saddle, the Prince 
cleft it in two with a stroke of his dagger, urged his terrified 
[ 91 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

steed at a hand-gallop across the bridge, throwing to each 
of the beasts a half as they rushed out to bear him down. 
Each caught the loathsome morsel in his teeth and paused to 
rend it. Spurring at top speed through the black archway, 
Hardel leaped from his saddle, and seizing the lever that 
worked the portcullis, threw his whole weight upon it, caus- 
ing the heavy iron gate to fall between him and his pursuers 
with a clang. 

Roaring and snarling in their rage, the beast-men ham- 
mered at the heavy barrier furiously, but for that the Prince 
cared not at all, knowing it could withstand an army if need 
were. Wrapping his cloak about his left arm as a shield, 
he drew his sword and plunged into the black entrance of 
the tower standing before him in the midst of the courtyard. 
Feeling his path with sword point and elbows the Prince 
made his way up a few winding steps to a massive iron- 
studded door. Thrusting with his shoulder against the 
thick oaken panel, he burst it open, and stood panting at 
one end of a huge vaulted hall lit by a thousand small round 
windows of orange-colored glass set high in the thick stone 
walls. 

Ranged in rows on the rush-strewn floor stood a hundred 
spinning-wheels, whirling swiftly under the hands of as many 
[ 92 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

maids, no one of whom glanced his way, so feverishly intent 
did they seem upon their task. Each girl had on one hand 
a heap of flax that, passing through the magic of the wheel, 
lay a gleaming mass of golden threads upon her other side. 
Great bales of the precious thread lay piled at one end of 
the vast hall, while in the centre rose a dais covered with a 
crimson cloth and bearing an enormous chest of silver. On 
this chest an old hag of most repulsive mien sat shaking 
her bony fists and screaming foul curses at the intruder. 
She was gowned in cloth of striped green and yellow, as 
the foresters were, a long yellow cloak lay thrown about 
her shoulders, a high peaked cap of green sat on the wagging 
head from which her matted gray hair hung half over wicked, 
steely eyes, and dropped in an uncouth mass upon her shoulders. 

The Prince raised his blade to rush upon her, only to have 
it suddenly spring from his grasp and fall clattering to the 
flagstones, at a wave of the witch’s arm. Then suddenly 
bethinking him of the bow and quiver at his back, he swiftly 
unslung them and fitted an arrow to the string. The hag, 
as she saw the silver-tipped shaft, gave a wild scream and 
rushed forward, mouthing in terror, to pluck it from him, 
only to fall shrieking and clawing among the rushes, shot 
through the heart. 


[ 93 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Instantly the loud humming ceased, and every wheel grew 
still. The maidens, rising stiffly from their stools, rubbed 
their eyes, shuddering as though waking from some hideous 
dream. Then seeing their enemy stretched rigid where she 
had fallen, and the Prince, bow in hand, standing near, some 
of them caught him by the hands, some threw their arms 
around his neck, he blushing hotly in embarrassment. So 
hailing him as their hero and deliverer, with tears of joy they 
led him to the silver chest, and taking hold of the lid, as many 
as could find hand room heaved up the heavy metal and bade 
him take what lay within. Stooping, Hardel drew forth first 
a sword of exquisite workmanship, the hilt set with precious 
stones that flashed in the orange light of the windows, and 
quaintly fashioned in likeness of a golden dragon’s claw ; even 
the blade bore evidence of a master workman’s touch, being 
inlaid with rare enamels in intricate and beautiful design half 
way to the point, but so heavy was it that it seemed almost 
useless. The only other object in the chest was a large silver 
goblet, richly embossed and bearing upon its side, traced in 
ancient symbols, this legend — 

“ He that drynkes mee, be hym brave. 

The strength of manye menne shal have. 

The trenchant dragon sword to wave ” — 

[ 94 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

The Prince, looking into the clear, sparkling liquid it 
contained, would have hesitated at drinking a strange mix- 
ture under such peculiar circumstances had he not in mind 
the advice of Speeldig, to “ take what he should find in the 
witch’s chest for his own”; so, fearlessly raising the cup to 
his lips, with a “by your leave, fair maids,” he quaffed it to 
the last drop — to feel new life and energy course through 
his veins. His shoulders became of greater breadth, while 
his already powerful muscles grew still harder and of greater 
size. So, minded to try his new-found power, he grasped 
the heavy sword he could hardly lift before, and found he 
could toss it in the air as easily as a willow wand. He 
laughed in the joy of his strength and vigor. 

“ Now,” said one of the maidens, stepping from the 
throng about him, “ tell us of your adventures, Sir Knight, 
and how it befell that you chanced here to slay the witch 
and set us free.” 

So, seated on the silver chest, his new-won prize across 
his knees, a ring of happy faces and eager eyes about him, 
he told the tale as you have read it here. When he had 
done, the maiden who had spoken, a comely lass, advanced to 
him and taking his hand told him she was Alaryede, the 
charcoal-burner’s daughter. 


[ 95 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

“We all have earned it,” she added to her companions, 
“so let us take each as much of the golden thread as she 
can carry, and wend our several ways back to our homes, 
for the Castle of the Hundred Maidens is no more.” 

They straightway did so, and when they all stood gathered 
in the courtyard, “Blow a blast on the silver horn that 
hangs at your side, Prince,” said Alaryede, turning to Hardel, 
who, placing it to his lips, blew once and yet again a loud, 
clear note. The echo had barely ceased quivering in the 
distance when the massy walls of the tower commenced 
crumbling, and at another blast of the horn they faded 
away, leaving the company standing on a great gray rock 
in the midst of the forest. The Castle of the Hundred 
Maidens was, indeed, no more. 

Coming to where his faithful steed was grazing hard by, 
the Prince swung to the saddle, helped Alaryede to a seat 
behind him, and bidding farewell to the joyous damsels, 
rode for the charcoal-burner’s hut. Great was the good 
man’s joy when the Prince restored his long-mourned 
daughter, and many the blessings he gave the black roses 
that clambered up the cottage wall. The father and daugh- 
ter could not bear to part from the Prince, and pressed him 
to remain and rest a while, but he, feeling stronger than ever 
[ 96 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

in his life, would not consent but for just that night. The 
morning saw him, the great sword of the dragon hilt by his 
side, cantering his black war-horse down the leafy lane, back 
to the road and his adventures ; for none among the hun- 
dred maidens of the castle — not even Alaryede, passing fair 
though she was — had dimmed for an instant the image of 
Astrella that lay pictured on his steadfast heart. 


7 


[ 97 ] 






CHAPTER THE TENTH 


Wherein a Squire tells his Tale, and the 
Knight of the Bed Lawns fights his 
last Battle 



HE PRINCE, FARING 
forth in the gay June weather, 
felt himself one with all Nature 
that morning. His triumphs of 


the day before, the first real 
deeds of importance that had 
offered in his young life, now 
seemed so strange he almost felt 
he had dreamed and not per- 


formed them ; but there was the massive sword swaying at 
his belt, its jewelled hilt agleam in the early light, ringing a 
tuneful assurance in time to the hoof-beats of his charger; 
the generous blood coursing in his veins, and the added 
vigor of his frame gave proof that he had not drained the 
curious goblet with its quaint graven legend in vain. 

So musing on these things, the verse wove subtly into 
the rhythmic clang of trappings, to wrap him round in day 
dreams. He saw again the hunting lodge and heard the 
call of the mellow horn breathe soft as a sigh upon the 
balmy air, as though from far a-down the dale; he heard 
the sounds of hasting steeds, faint cries of many voices 
borne faintly on the breeze, now near, then dwindling in 
the distance till, mingling with soft brooding murmurs of 


[ 101 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

rustling leaf and swaying bough, they melted in the low 
breathing that marks the woodland’s life on such a perfect 
day. 

Again the stag, a gleam of white against the brown and 
green, sprang from its covert; then once more, in fancy 
standing by the mystic pool, he looked in wonder at the 
bowing gnome. 

“ Speed fair the day, most worthy knight ! ” These words 
shouted in a clear treble caused him to wake suddenly from 
his musing, to find a youth in the green and gold of a 
squire’s livery bowing by the side of a huge stump at the 
road edge, from which he had risen to greet him — a con- 
tinuation in reality of the figment of his dream. 

Drawing rein and answering courteously, the Prince in- 
quired whither led the road, and why the youth should sit 
in such a lonely place, sad at heart ; for he noticed a trace 
of recent tears in his frank gray eyes. 

“If you will but alight and sit by me here,” — making 
room on the stump, — “you may hear my tale, though it 
is no long one, and learn of what lies before you, in the 
bargain.” 

The Prince, swinging from the saddle, turned his barb to 
graze, then perching by the youth, his knee clasped in his 
[ 102 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

hands, composed himself to listen, while the squire, after a 
few moments’ hesitation, began his tale as follows : 

“ My father is warden of the gate at King Meliborn’s 
palace, standing like a fortress on a high cliff overlooking a 
broad river that divides the kingdom from north to south, 
making fruitful the lands that border. Hamlet and village, 
pasture and farmstead cluster on its banks far as the eye can 
reach. Often I sat on one or other of the towers, a dizzy 
height, musing on where the stream came from, or of the 
people living in that far land, but more I longed to view 
the sea to which I knew it rolled to mingle its waters at 
the last. Was it then strange that when Prince Madrigan, 
whose squire I was, came and bade me prepare for a journey 
with him I was wild with joy ? He had heard of the Tower 
where the Princess Astrella waited for the one who could 
set her free, and had determined to chance the venture — 
more, I think, from a wish to see a bit of the outside world 
than from any hope of success. A week from that day we 
set forth, the Prince on his roan charger, while I rode behind 
on a handsome gray he had given me some time before, 
proud as a peacock and bearing my master’s shield and 
lance. We came after many days, though with little adven- 
ture, to Elgardane, where, after passing the night at the 
[ 10 ? ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

palace, we started for the mountain, clothed from its very 
foot in dense black forest, whereon is the Princess’s prison 
tower. There is but one path leading into the thick growth, 
and this, we found, after a short journey into its depths, was 
barred by a tree growing in its centre, whose branches droop 
and coil in such manner as to make further progress impos- 
sible. The Prince took his battle-axe, and handing me his 
sword, we both started chopping the branches with might 
and main, — but all to no purpose, for as one was chopped, 
another formed in its place. Seeing by this the tree was of 
no ordinary fibre, Prince Madrigan ceased his efforts, and, 
peering through the branches, was aware of a middle-aged 
woman who sat on the other side and gazed at us curiously, 
but, as I thought, with no unfriendly mien. However, as 
she would answer none of the questions we put, we turned 
back wearily to seek our horses. Standing watching them 
as they nibbled at the short grass that fringed the forest was 
a very old woman who asked alms of my master. Giving 
her a piece of silver, he was about to ride away when she 
laid her bony hand on his stirrup. 

“ ‘ Most noble Prince,’ she said, in a high, cracked voice, 
‘no common axe can cope with the branches of the magic 
tree, as I see by your flushed face you have no doubt dis- 
[ 104 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

covered ; but should you take to the western road, you 
would come to a grim old castle where dwells Kelmet the 
Wizard. Among the many strange things in his possession 
is a battle-axe of such peculiar virtue that whoso wields it 
his hand will never tire. Could you win this weapon from 
the wizard, I doubt not the tree might yet succumb,’ and 
curtsying low, she hobbled rapidly away. 

“The Prince, though having little faith in the words of 
the hag, yet determined to see the end of the matter, so we 
set forth, and after a few days came to that castle lying just 
beyond the turn of the road. Before it stretches a meadow 
covered with blood-red poppies in full bloom, and in its midst 
is set a fair pavilion of crimson cloth ; a great oak is growing 
in front, on which hang many shields of different devices, and 
on a lower branch is hung a gong of brass. Among the leaves 
some apes leaped chattering and mouthing at us, while round 
about its trunk stood a number of cattle, sheep, and hogs, all 
gazing solemnly. My master no sooner caught sight of the 
brazen gong than he knew it was placed there by the knight 
in the pavilion, the glint of whose armor we could catch now 
and then in the shadow, as a challenge to battle, while the 
shields were those of the knights he had overcome. A sudden 
rage came over Madrigan that the knight should be so vulgar- 
[ 105 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

proud. Turning, he took the spear and shield I carried, then 
lowering his visor, rode straight to the gong, in spite of the 
crowding cattle, and struck it a mighty blow with his lance’s 
point. The echo had scarce died away when there emerged 
from the tent a knight of gigantic size, his armor all crimson, 
mounted on a great bay war-horse. After riding forward a 
few paces he came to a halt and cried in a loud deep voice, 
‘I am the Knight of the Red Lawns, guarding this castle 
and the poppy fields. Who are you that dare to beat upon 
my gong, as though to hurl it to the ground ? ’ My Prince 
cried out his name and titles in return, whereat they both 
placed their lances in rest and met with a furious shock, the 
Prince breaking his lance full on his adversary’s shield, only 
to be himself hurled from the saddle prone on the ground. 
And then occurred the strangest thing of all, and one to make 
the blood run cold : alighting, the one in red went to where 
Madrigan lay and tore open his coat of mail, from whence 
sprang an ape, who leaped gibbering into the tree, while 
the knight threw the empty armor over my master’s saddle 
and led both horses away, first having hung the shield among 
the others on the tree, and cruelly mocked the ape that hud- 
dled in its branches. I knew now why the apes had mouthed 
and the animals gathered about the oak, as though to bar 
[ 106 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

approach. They were the owners of the shields that hung 
upon it, bewitched and overcome, even as my master, trying 
in dumb fashion to warn us away. So when my trembling 
limbs would move, I fled unnoticed to this spot. The tears 
in my eyes, lord, are for the dear Prince Madrigan, whom I 
fear I never more shall see in his own fair shape.” 

The squire had barely finished speaking when, from the 
trees on either side, came the cattle, swine, sheep, and apes 
who, ranging themselves in a circle about the stump, gazed 
with sad eyes upon the pair. 

“ Speak,” said the Prince, “ and know that though to other 
human ears your voices may have no meaning, yet to me they 
are plain, for I can understand the language of the animals.” 

At these words there stepped from among his fellows a fine 
black bull, who, with a shake of his heavy head, addressed the 
Prince : 

“ Now that, indeed, is fortunate, for could I but have held 
converse with others ere they strove against him of the 
Red Lawns, many might have been spared, who, once noble 
knights, now form part of this doleful company. I, myself, 
was famous in the tourney, excelling all in arms, both on foot 
and on horseback, yet did my skill avail me not at all against 
the Crimson Knight. These you see about us, as gibbering 

[ 107 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

ape or beast of the field, were all brave warriors, skilled in the 
art of battle, yet fallen one by one, myself the first victim, 
striving in vain to warn them of their fate, only to find my 
words turned to a bull’s bellow in this thick neck ; but you, 
Prince, who can understand, I warn to turn your charger’s 
head toward the place whence you came. Think it no dis- 
grace nor lack of knightly courage, where so many good 
men have failed, and save your glorious youth and strength 
for some future field where the odds are not so great.” 

Hardel looked sadly round the circle. “I cannot do it,” 
he said. “ I could not bear to leave so many worthy gentle- 
men in such sorry plight. Why, the song of battle on my lips 
would sound a mockery in my ears. I should burn up with 
blushes in my shame, the very jingle of my armor would 
seem to mock me, no longer ringing of high deeds to do, but 
changed to the rattle of a coward’s chain. The golden spurs 
of knighthood on my heels would be the symbols of a living 
lie. Not so,” he added, with a generous flush, and rising, 
drew the great sword from its sheath. “ I will avenge you if 
I may.” 

“ It grieves me much, though I admire you for your noble 
words,” replied the bull, “ and as I see a man such as yourself 
will not be turned by any thought of fear, I give you what 
[ 108 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

advice I can, for much I have discovered that may aid you, 
since, long ago, I was transformed to what you see me now. 
Know then, the shield he carries is bewitched. No lance may 
pierce it, but instead, on striking it is shattered at the touch. 
Aim then for the shield, fair and true, but swerve at the 
stroke and hit him elsewhere. As for the rest, why, it lies 
in your own good arm. Now should you chance to win him, 
ride to the drawbridge and shoot an arrow into the centre of 
the skull carved in the middle of the coat-of-arms above the 
archway piercing the castle wall. The gate will straightway 
open. Enter and pass the night in the great hall, fearing 
nothing, for to him who is without cowardice no harm can 
befall. In the morning will come the master of the castle, 
Kelmet the Wizard, a man of huge strength, terrible to see. 
He will wrestle with you in the courtyard, and should you 
contrive to overcome him, the magic battle-axe, which never 
tires the hand that wields it, will be yours. Then taking his 
hunting horn and filling it at the fountain in the yard, cast the 
water on us, to make us once more men ! Right so we greet 
you, noble Prince, who may be going forth to what is worse 
than death, and we wish you courage, strength, and bright 
success ! ” 

As they fell upon their knees there in the dusty road, the 
[ 109 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

squire pressed his lips on the Prince’s hand, for though he had 
not understood the words, the purport of the thing was plain. 

Striding silently to where Bayard stood waiting, — for the 
horse had listened to the counsel and was ready to bear his 
share of the coming strife, — Hardel looked keenly to placing 
of girth and set of saddle, tightening a buckle here, there 
shifting a strap, making sure his sword hung ready to his 
hand, and testing the point of his lance against a tree ; then 
swinging his broad shield to his left arm, he mounted quietly 
and rode slowly down the road, while the beasts, feeling that 
should this champion fail their hope was lost indeed, followed 
dumbly after. 

Coming to the poppied field, the Prince took a long look 
at the spot, judging the range, marking each slight hollow 
and bush ; then, riding at a gentle canter over the scarlet 
blossoms, he struck the gong smartly with his lance’s point, 
and backing his war-horse gracefully a hundred paces to 
allow of greater distance for the charge, he shut his helmet 
with a click, and couching his lance, stood motionless, wait- 
ing. Nor had he long to stay till from the scarlet tent the 
huge Knight of the Red Lawns came, already mounted 
on his great bay charger, fully armed in crimsoned steel, 
saluting. 


[ no ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

“Who may you be that come unmannerly to beat upon 
my gong?” 

“ That ’s as may be,” returned Prince Hardel, “ though, 
rest assured, a better man than you who, fighting fair, yet 
means to be your death!” 

No further word was spoken, but, placing his lance in rest, 
the Red Knight sprang to the attack. No touch of the spur 
was needed for Bayard, who, arching low his splendid neck, 
sprang forward at furious speed, meeting the enemy ere he 
had covered half the distance. The Prince meanwhile had 
made a show of aiming for his adversary’s shield, but just at 
the encounter he swung low in the saddle, swerving his aim 
so that the crimson lance passed over his left shoulder, while 
his own, avoiding the shield, struck fair and true upon the 
Red Knight’s helm, hurling him from his mount with awful 
force. A shock so violent would have been the end of any 
other man, but this one sprang from the hard earth as though 
from off a bed of down, and drawing his sword, dressed to 
meet the attack of the Prince, who, determined to spare no 
advantage, swung his steed in a half circle and rushed down 
upon him fiercely, seeking to pin him with his lance ; but the 
Red One, leaping nimbly to one side, caught it a blow with 
his shield as it passed, shivering the good spear to fragments. 

[ HI ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Fearing for his horse, the Prince sprang from the saddle, and 
drawing his gleaming weapon of the dragon hilt, threw himself 
forward, dealing blow on blow, hewing the magic shield that 
had no power against this sword of swords, and finding each 
chink and rivet in the huge knights armor with shrewdly 
cruel skill, till the scarlet mail grew yet more ruddy with 
the blood that followed each thrust and sweeping cut of the 
trusty blade. Round and round they circled, the Knight 
of the Lawns seeking with desperate might to beat through 
the Prince’s guard, but wherever his sword fell, it ever met the 
parrying blade or heavy shield, while the challenger, far from 
showing weariness, seemed to wax stronger with every stroke 
that now he directed principally at the fastenings of the gor- 
get, which, yielding at length, suffered the Red Knight’s helm 
to be beaten from his head. Scarcely had it touched the 
ground ere the Prince, putting his whole lusty strength into 
the blow, struck with such frightful force that his sword, 
cleaving from crown to chin, shore half way down the scarlet 
breastplate ; there it rested, fixed so firmly that Hardel was 
forced to place his foot upon the prostrate form and use both 
hands to draw it forth. 

Turning from the dreadful sight (for now that the lust of 
strife was over, the Prince could not bear to look upon his 
[ US ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

work), he swung his shield upon his back, and remounting 
Bayard, who had stood near the while, rode straight for the 
drawbridge of the castle. Fitting an arrow to the bow he had 
taken from the archer in green and yellow near the Castle of 
the Hundred Maidens and still kept slung to his saddle, the 
Prince sent it quivering to the very centre of the skull upon 
the coat-of-arms high above the great arch in the wall. 


8 


[ MS ] 



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spent theMght-attheCastle 

of JrCelmettheWizardthough- 
with- but - poor- opinion ■ of-its • hospital ity* 


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- i 


CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH 

Belates how the Prince spent the Night at 
the Castle of Kelmet the Wizard, though 
with hut poor Opinion of its Hospitality 




HE GATES SWUNG WIDE, 


the huge portcullis rose slowly 
on creaking chains, and with a 
hollow clatter of hoofs over the 
thick planking of the bridge, 
the Prince passed beneath the 
frowning battlements and halted, 
his naked sword in hand, 


within the courtyard of Kelmet 
the Wizard. 

A fountain having a wide basin of carved stone flashed 
in the centre, ivy wrapped the great towers that rose 
before him, their mullioned windows catching the last rays 
of the setting sun, gleaming orange through the cling- 
ing green. Rose-vine and clematis were trained along the 
wall, fruit-trees and shrubs grew in the angles, while a 
tessellated path of black marble and white led from the 
fountain to the steps that flanked the entrance. As the 
Prince sat his barb, noting these and many other things, he 
became aware of two huge negroes — naked but for a 
leopard skin about the loins, and adorned with earrings 
and armlets of gold inlaid with ivory — who had descended 
the castle stair and now stood on either side of him, mak- 


[ in ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

ing signs that they were to relieve him of his armor and 
attend to his horse. Remembering the words of the 
black bull by the road, that he should show no fear, he 
let them do as they wished, keeping only his sword at his 
side; then, having seen his steed well placed in a stable 
adjoining the main tower, his mail hung carefully on pegs 
by the stall, he left him there, and returning to the stair- 
way went boldly in. He went from room to room, find- 
ing all richly furnished but empty of any sign of life, till, 
pushing aside the rich hangings of one, he found a dark- 
panelled door. Opening it, he stood at once in a great 
hall, brilliantly lighted with tall candles of green wax in silver 
stands, a table in the centre of the polished inlaid floor, 
around which a richly dressed company were supping. 
They turned toward him as he entered, and he saw, with 
a feeling of horror he instantly suppressed, that they were 
skeletons. There could be no doubt of it. Bony hands 
held the knives and forks, clattering as they touched goblet 
or plate ; grinning skulls topped the rich silks and velvets of 
their habits, — except in the case of one who sat at the head, 
a man of gigantic proportions, dressed in dull black and red, 
with a cruel, narrow face of pasty hue, from which a pair 
of red-rimmed eyes looked menacingly into Hardel’s. 

[ US ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

This person, none other than Kelmet the Wizard, as 
Hardel guessed, waved him to a vacant chair at the foot, 
on which the Prince, after making his bow to his host and 
the weird guests, sat down. Roast meats with bread 
and fruit on silver platters covered the board in plenty, 
and noticing that each helped himself, the newcomer fol- 
lowed suit, and was soon in the midst of a hearty meal, 
when, to his surprise, the others rose, and, taking the 
scraps and leavings from their several plates, began throw- 
ing them into his. Greatly angered at the insult, the 
Prince rose hotly, and, drawing his sword, prepared to defy 
them, when, with a horrid shriek, they leaped upon the 
table, which instantly sank through the floor, leaving only 
a flash of bluish flame and dense black smoke to mark 
the place where once it stood. These drifting away, the 
Prince found himself alone, and was about to examine 
more closely into his surroundings, when three men 
entered from the farther end of the hall. Their faces, the 
color of old mahogany, had something of its shine, in that 
the skin was drawn so tightly over the bones as to give 
the features the appearance of being carved ; the eyes, small 
and narrow, glowed like live coals half buried in dark ashes ; 
these with the teeth gleaming yellow-white between the 
[ 119 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

black lips produced a most uncanny look. They were 
clothed in deep red jerkins and hose, fitting tightly to thin 
though agile forms. Two of them carried a set of ninepins 
and balls for bowling; the third, placing the pins in order 
at the end of the hall, stood by while the two others ad- 
vanced toward where the Prince stood, without paying 
much heed to him, and commenced to roll, each chalking 
the score on the other’s back with a bit of yellow crayon. 
Hardel, becoming much interested in the game, at which 
he was himself quite expert, stepped forward, in spite of the 
strangeness of his surroundings and the forbidding appear- 
ance of the players, and asked courteously if he might not 
join them. They stopped at once and looked upon him 
steadily, then the nearest, advancing without a word, proffered 
him the ball. He stretched forth his hand and took it, 
when it changed instantly, and to his horror, into a freshly 
severed human head which he was grasping by the matted 
locks, and the pins at which he was about to aim to 
thigh bones, placed on end. As he shrank back from 
the ghastly thing, all three of the devil-men rushed upon 
him, eyes flaming in dark faces, black lips baring the grin- 
ning yellow fangs, their lean hands and long, tigerish nails,, 
clutching for him. 


[ 120 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

Springing back with a loud cry, he dashed the head full 
at the foremost, who, falling back upon his fellows, gave 
the Prince an instant in which to flash out his sword and 
charge ; but the mighty blade went through the shapes as 
through smoke, and with a fiendish scream they vanished, 
leaving no trace. 

Hardel, with a slight tremor which he quickly conquered, 
strode over to the fire blazing on the hearth at one side 
of the hall, sheathed his weapon, and seating himself on 
the settle, hoped fervently no more such visitors would 
appear. In this he was doomed to disappointment, for he 
had not been there long, staring into the cheering blaze 
and trying to conjure up the face of his Princess in the 
ruddy coals, to hearten him a little, when the curtains at 
the door were thrust violently aside and there entered five 
hideous hags. Four of them bore the headless figure of a 
man, one at each arm and one at each leg; the fifth was 
staggering under the weight of a large caldron of copper, 
which appeared to be half full of a liquid of some sort. 
Approaching the fire, she hung her burden on the crane 
and began stirring the contents slowly with a long iron 
ladle ; the others, laying the body on the floor, where they 
propped it to a sitting posture, joined hands about the figure 
[ 121 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

and began a curious hopping dance, weirdly fantastic, and 
actuated by a kind of demoniac vigor that was repul- 
sively fascinating. 

This had continued some time, during which no atten- 
tion whatever was paid to Hardel, when one of them, spy- 
ing the head into which the ball had been transformed, 
and which still lay on the polished floor, spun from the 
whirling circle and, seizing it eagerly, brought it to the fire- 
light, at which the five gathered closely about, chuckling 
and crooning in a fierce joy. Dragging up the body, the one 
who held the head placed it in position on the trunk ; 
then she who stirred the caldron dipped out a ladleful of 
the boiling mixture, pouring it on the joining of neck and 
shoulders, at which they came together as though never 
apart. Prying open the set teeth with the handle of the 
ladle, she dipped it once more in the pot, and poured the 
contents down the throat, from which came instantly a 
guttural sound, while the heavy lids opened, disclosing 
staring, glassy eyes seemingly fixed in horror. Leaping to 
the mantelpiece, over which had been nailed a cluster of 
old swords in ornamental design, the hag wrenched one from 
its fastenings, and hastening to the figure — for though it 
moved it could hardly be called a man — she placed the 
[ 122 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

weapon in its hand ; then all five taking hold heaved it 
up, where it stood reeling like one newly roused from a 
deep sleep. Pointing with skinny fingers and screaming 
shrilly, the hags half dragged, half shoved him toward 
Hardel, who, wide-eyed with horror, yet determined to 
brave it to the last, had risen and faced this thing of 
death. 

Even as it swayed at him, its great arm with the half-rusted 
blade held aloft, a clear ringing cock-crow cleft the air ; when 
suddenly as the snuffing of a candle, witches, caldron, monster, 
and all vanished as if they had never been. 

With a shuddering sigh, yet undaunted heart, the Prince 
looked about him in relief. Finding all silent, he wrapped 
himself closely in his cloak, then stretching at full length by 
the dying embers, his naked sword still in his grasp, was 
soon plunged in the troubled sleep of exhaustion. Waking 
with the feeling of some one gazing intently at him, as he had 
done once before in the charcoal-burner’s cottage, he opened 
his eyes, not, as on that occasion, to meet the kindly ones of 
the gnome, but to encounter the fierce look of Kelmet the 
Wizard, who stood lowering above him. A mighty battle- 
axe lay cradled in his folded arms, a baldric and hunting- 
horn swung from his shoulders ; otherwise, he was as he had 
[ 123 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

been the night before, garbed in the suit of dull black and 
red. 

“Now rise!” he said in a rumbling voice, as of pealing 
thunder heard a great way off. “ To you I concede the honor 
of trying your strength against mine in the courtyard here 
below. No trick of sword or targe can help you now ; but 
breast to breast in wrestler’s grip I soon will show you what 
you are who dare to slay my knight and brave the demons 
of my castle ! ” 

Turning on his heel, he made swiftly for the door, the 
Prince, who had expected this, following closely. Down 
the turning stairs they tramped and out of the grim archway 
into the dewy brightness of the early morning. Laying aside 
his baldric and battle-axe, the giant wizard, stripped to his 
shirt, through which the great muscles of his torso and arms 
showed plainly, waited impatiently while Hardel, propping his 
sword against the wall, did the like. 

Both ready at length, they began circling each about the 
other, head thrust warily forward, elbows close at sides, hands 
half clenched, seeking an opening, one in the other’s guard, 
like two fierce hawks. A sudden spring, and Kelmet had 
the Prince about the shoulders with his left arm, the other 
pressed firmly against his neck, striving to force back the 
[ 124 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

head, while Hardel, gripping the wizard about the middle, 
wound his left leg around his thighs, straining to bend him 
back or sideways. Shifting his hold suddenly to a lower 
grip, Kelmet feigned to yield, then, turning suddenly in the 
Prince’s hold, sought to press him down by sheer might ; but 
Hardel, sliding his right arm upward, caught him with the 
full strength of shoulder and forearm cleanly under the chin ; 
then throwing the whole might of his back and loins into the 
leverage thus obtained, he brought the wizard violently to 
the ground. Squirming like an eel, so that not his broad 
shoulders but only one hip and side touched the ground, 
he drove his knee into Hardel’s ribs with all his strength. 
So, rolling, heaving up to fall again, over and under, they 
panted and snarled like baited wolves, now one appearing 
to gain mastery, anon the other struggling to the top. Cov- 
ered with dust and scraping their flesh on the hard stones 
of the yard, they strained on, when the Prince, hearing a 
cooing voice speak his name distinctly, glanced up for an 
instant, to And that it came from one of a pair of pigeons 
perched on the stone coping above. As he fought, he 
listened as best he might, and heard the bird continue to 
his mate: 

44 Yes, it is Prince Hardel who strives so gallantly. If he 
[ 125 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

only knew that the water of the fountain there had power 
to change the wizard to a turtle, and could but make him 
touch it, all would be well, where all seems ill just now!” 

The Prince upon this, getting the direction and distance 
fixed in his mind, gave way slightly each time the strife 
tended toward the basin, drawing and pushing his opponent 
till he, all unconscious of the nearness of the fatal water, and 
thinking the Prince was weakening, heaved at him mightily ; 
then Hardel, throwing himself backward, gripped the wizard’s 
corded neck in the crook of his arm and dragged him, scream- 
ing wildly now that he saw his peril, under the clear water. 

Instantly he found himself empty-handed, and that a huge 
turtle had fastened his beak on his leg, keeping the hold 
doggedly. But the Prince scrambled out, dripping, seized 
on a large stone near by, and, forcing the head of the trans- 
formed Kelmet to the flagstones, smashed it with one blow 
of the heavy rock. Then, his strength failing suddenly, he 
fell, completely overcome, by the side of his conquered foe. 

How long he lay he could not tell. When he came to his 
senses it was to find the sun nearing the zenith, a monkey 
dashing water in his face, while ranged around the courtyard 
stood the animals he had met the day before. Aching in 
every joint and sinew from the strain he had undergone so 
[ *26 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

recently, the Prince yet remembered his friends and their 
need ; getting dizzily to his feet he made his way to where 
Kelmet had laid his baldric, horn, and battle-axe, and taking 
the bugle, he filled it at the fountain and scattered the con- 
tents broadcast over the beasts now huddled close about. 


[ m ] 




Ij) f* the- meeting of- the 

Prince- withthe¥enerable- 



an 


on 


•the* Mil K- White ‘Rennet • 


CHAPTER THE TWELFTH 

Of the Meeting of the Prince with the Vener- 
able Man on the Milk- White Jennet 





^HE EFFECT WAS START- 
ling, for scarcely had the spray 
touched them, than in their 
places stood a gallant company 
indeed, men of the highest no- 
bility, — Prince, Duke, and Earl, 
with many simple knights. The 
mouthing ape stood revealed a 
handsome prince, the ebony-hued 
bull a tall, broad-shouldered, courtly knight, the Duke of 
Arskane, who long had been mourned as dead by his loving 
vassals. 

The squire here entered and, now weeping tears of joy, 
fell upon his master’s neck, while they all, embracing one 
another in their happiness, turned as one man to Hardel; 
but speech failed them, and noting plainly his embarrassment 
at having to be thanked, they merely held out their hands, 
leaving to his imagination the conveyance of those thoughts 
words are all too weak to bear. Two days they abode 
there in the castle, finding it well stocked with provision of 
the best and furnished luxuriantly from cellar to turret 
chamber with a weirdly exquisite taste; but no sign of 
life could they discover anywhere about, though they 
[ 131 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

searched carefully, finally concluding that the demons were 
fled or annihilated on the death of their chief, the Wiz- 
ard Kelmet. 

On the morning of the third day the Prince, fully armed 
and mounted on Bayard, with the great battle-axe, his latest 
trophy, swinging at his saddle bow, appeared among the 
restored noblemen as they stood playing at quoits in the 
courtyard. Despite their entreaties that he remain a little 
longer (for they were loath to let so dear a friend go from 
out their lives), he insisted on going at once, telling them he 
was now quite rested and eager to be following whither his 
heartstrings led, to where, the fates being kind as they had 
hitherto proven, he might at length claim the guerdon of 
his deeds. 

So he rode forth, sped by many a fervent wish, followed 
by the whole party to the turn in the road, where he left 
them crying their last adieus with husky throats, his eyes 
dimmed by sudden moisture as he saw the last of the little 
company by whom he was so well beloved. 

Upon the crest of the mountain, from which he could just 
see the castle he had left, he waved his hand once more as 
a parting salute to the scene of so much- strife, terror, and 
happiness ; this last, as it ever should be, far greater than 
[ 132 ] 



He dashed swift and sure, straight at 

the horrid head (Page 155) 




































































































v 























































































































































' 





















THE FACE IN THE POOL 

the rest, in that it came from the doing of good to others 
and the crushing out of evil. 

Down through the valley, past whispering wood and fal- 
low land, now skirting a tiny lake, now beside a stream 
sparkling its merry way over the smiling pasture, he came 
at length to the edge of a denser forest than any he had 
seen that day. As he approached, from out a copse of 
cypress that jutted from its edge, there rushed a venerable 
man, clinging to the back of a milk-white jennet, closely 
pursued by three ill-favored fellows, also mounted and urg- 
ing their horses at top speed, who seemed by their manner 
to be robbers. Judging they would soon come up with their 
prey, unless help were speedily lent, Hardel urged Bayard 
to a run, and shouting defiance, swooped down upon them 
with brandished lance, when, like many of their kind, having 
no stomach for encountering what might prove an equal 
tussle, they turned tail and fled. The old man, seeing rescue 
at hand, pulled up his jennet and was sending scream on 
scream of derision and rage after his flying enemies, as has 
many times proven the way of the weak suddenly cham- 
pioned by the strong. When he could think of nothing 
more to cry, or, more probably, was spent for lack of breath, 
he turned to Hardel, who had sat by calmly smiling; for 
[ 133 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

indeed the old man made a comical appearance, huddled on 
his high-pommelled saddle of stamped Spanish leather, his 
attire — all of dark gray sendal, with facings of yellow velvet 
— in sad disarray from the hurried nature of the latter part 
of his journey, a tall peaked cap, round the lower half of 
which an ornamental design in cabalistic figures was em- 
broidered with green and black thread, set jauntily over one 
ear, completing the picture. 

“Now that was indeed well done,” he panted, regaining 
his voice somewhat. “See what a good thing it is to wear 
armor and ride a large horse. You did not even need to 
strike a blow, but I am grateful for all that and would show 
my thanks rather than speak them.” So saying, he descended 
from the jennet, and producing a black wand tipped with 
agate from some hidden pocket in his flowing robes, drew 
with it a circle on the grass, and said : “ I am known as the 
Wise Man of Othalbane, and am travelling to my home, 
which lies over beyond the mountain there. I have just 
completed one of my yearly trips through the country here- 
about, plying my art of divining, and have collected a large 
sum in gold and silver moneys. This was known to the men 
from whom you have but now rescued me, who, robbers that 
they are, would have taken my hard-earned pelf and left me 
[ 134 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

lifeless, mayhap, on the road. But enough of that. See, I 
try my skill for you.” 

The circle he had drawn now began to smoke, presently 
to blaze with a thin blue flame, whereat the magician, draw- 
ing forth a number of ivory discs on each of which was 
graven a figure similar to those adorning his conical hat, 
cast them within the ring of fire, where they commenced to 
spin rapidly, shifting to different combinations, stopping for 
an instant, at intervals, while the Wise Man, gently sway- 
ing his wand over them, read their meaning to the Prince, 
in short, jerky sentences. 

“ You are a Prince of royal blood. Hardel is your name. 
You seek the Princess Astrella of Elgardane. To win her 
you must possess: The sword of the dragon hilt, the bat- 
tle-axe of Kelmet, and the three golden apples from the 
fountain of Queen Leliore, the fay. The sword and axe you 
have, passing great perils to obtain them. The third 
is yet to be gained, though it lies before you on your 
path. I see a castle, and from its gates a woman passing 
fair comes bringing a goblet on a silver salver. The one 
who drinks thereof will turn to stone. Drink not, but 
throw the contents over her and conquer, if you may, what 
next appears ; then ride to the garden within the gates and 
[ 135 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

pluck the apples from the fountain. Then, if you make 
good your escape from that place, against those who would 
hinder you, all will be well.” 

Here the discs ceased from spinning, nor could they be 
made to move again, though the magician still swung his 
wand in the effort. 4 4 That is all the fates will reveal,” he 
remarked, picking up the ivories and restoring them to his 
pouch, “yet still I may help you somewhat,” and he held 
out, as he spoke, a small green bag tied with red cord. “ In 
this are a score of small black peas that, should you scatter 
them on the ground when in sore need, will spring into 
warriors, fully armed in black harness, mounted on jet-black 
steeds, who will help you through. I myself would have 
used them just now, but they are useless unless scattered 
by a royal hand. Take them, then, with my thanks, and 
so speed you, fair Prince, to a happy ending.” 

Thrusting them into Hardel’s grasp, he mounted hur- 
riedly, galloping swiftly away as though to avoid any 
demur the Prince might make to accepting such a valuable 
gift. 


[ 1^6 ] 



the Adven- 
tures • of • the -IPrince- ait- the* 
£ astle • of • JL el i or e • the • Uky • 




CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH 

Containing the Adventures of the Prince at 
the Castle of Leliore the Fay 




GAIN ON HIS WAY, PLUNGING 


every turn, the Prince came 
fj^at last to an opening 
in the thick growth, 
through which he saw 


forest as he rode, keeping a 


sharp lookout for robbers at 


ever deeper into the dense 


•the castle standing 


in the midst of a wide clear space among the giant trees. As 
he approached he noted that it was larger than that of the 
wizard, and much more beautiful, combining with the firm 
lines of a stronghold the grace of a palace; for while the 
outer walls and battlements were of stern gray stone, the inner 
towers and castle rose luminous in pure white marble, roofed 
in varicolored tiles. Through the wide gate could be caught 
a glimpse of a garden rich in gorgeous flowers and planted 
thick with trees of almond, pear, and apricot, a fountain 
plashing invitingly in the centre. But what most held his 
attention, claiming his admiration in their wonderful faithful- 
ness to life in poise of figure and rendering of detail, was the 
number of statues abounding both within and without the 
walls. The warden of the gate, the sentinels upon the battle- 


[ 139 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

ments, were all of the same pure marble as the inner buildings. 
Before the gate and all along the drive leading to it, a number 
of knights mounted on horseback, each in the act of drink- 
ing from a goblet, and carved from the same snowy stone, 
were placed. 

Coming to the first of these, the Prince could but marvel 
at the wonderful workmanship. Every hair on the body and 
tail of the horse was perfect, each link and rivet in the armor, 
the hand holding the bridle and that bearing the cup, the 
strain of the neck muscles and the expression of the face in 
drinking were caught to the minutest detail. No sculptor 
could have produced the like, and he warmed with gratitude 
as he thought of the warning of the Wise Man that would 
save him from a like fate, it being plain they had all been 
changed to the cold stone directly the liquid in the cup had 
touched their lips. 

Passing in and out among them, he perceived a lady, clad 
in scarlet silk half concealed by a rich cloak of purple velvet 
lined with ermine, caught at the collar with silver clasps, a 
crown thickly studded with gems nestling on her dark hair, 
and bearing in her hands a silver salver supporting a cup 
of gold, approaching along the drive. As she drew near, he 
saw she was indeed lovely to look upon, of tall and gracious 
[ 140 J 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

form, though with a certain indefinable something of cruelty 
shining from her liquid eyes and lingering about the rich red 
lips half parted in a smile of welcome, disclosing teeth of 
creamy whiteness. Raising the salver in both fair hands, as 
the Prince sat silently observing her, she bade him, in a silvery 
voice, to pledge her in the goblet, an earnest of the cheer 
awaiting him beyond the gates. Taking the cup with a slight 
bow in salutation, he lifted it as if about to comply, then 
suddenly dashed the liquid full in her smiling, eager face. 

A fierce scream, half human, half brutish, was the result, 
and where an instant before had stood the beautiful, smiling 
enchantress, now crouched, as if about to spring, a lithe black 
panther, its tail lashing from side to side, with sinister yellow 
eyes blazing full at him with fury. He had barely time to 
seize his battle-axe when the enraged brute rose in a clean 
bound straight at him, while he, stooping in the saddle, struck 
upward at the flying mass, but so hurriedly that the keen 
edge of the weapon merely grazed its flank, causing a tuft of 
the fur to spin into the air like black thistledown. Almost 
before he could turn his charger, the panther struck and, 
gathering instantly, leaped again, this time to receive the 
heavy weapon as it swung with the full force of the wheel- 
ing steed and circling arm of Hardel, full between the eyes. 

[ HI ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

The stroke was so swiftly sure that the great cat fell with- 
out a sound, and with a few convulsive twitchings of sable 
limbs, lay still, cleft to the shoulders, leaving no sign of the 
lovely Queen but the golden goblet lying glittering among 
the grasses at the roadside. 

The Prince sat dazed for a moment at the suddenness of it 
all ; then thinking perhaps it were best to act quickly, made 
at a hand-gallop for the drawbridge, his streaming axe still 
clenched in his hand. Clattering over, he drew rein among 
the fruit trees and glowing flowers at the edge of the fountain, 
a beautiful thing worthy of its exquisite surroundings. The 
base was of black marble supporting an onyx globe upon 
which stood the figures of three graceful youths fashioned in 
pure gold, and standing in a perfect triangle, back to back, 
holding with their left arms to a bronze dolphin that formed 
the centre ; a stream of crystal water spouted from its mouth 
to fall again in fine spray about the figures, each of which 
held extended in the grasp of its right hand a gleaming 
golden apple. These the Prince, finding he could just reach 
by standing on his horse’s back, quickly gathered, but 
scarcely had he plucked the third and last when a great 
change took place about him. The castle that had seemed 
so empty was filled with the sound of hurrying feet, and 
[ 142 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

hoarse orders were shouted through the din. Mailed heads 
thrust out, glaring down upon him from every window. 
The warden at the gate, the men-at-arms along the battle- 
ments ( who had been marble as well as the knights that lined 
the road without ), all sprang to life once more, these latter 
completely blocking the escape. 

The Prince, seeing himself likely to be overpowered by 
sheer force of numbers, seized the tiny bag the Wise Man had 
given him, and, tearing the red cord from it with his left hand 
and teeth, scattered the black peas broadcast ; then, setting his 
lance in rest, he charged swift as an eagle’s swoop, shield and 
body lying low to saddle, and the mighty battle-axe of Kel- 
met swinging from its steel chain at his wrist. 

Piercing clear through the shield and breastplate of the 
first knight, the spear broke short off near the grip, which 
Hardel hurled straight to the helm of the next, who, reeling 
from the saddle, was trampled beneath the heavy hoofs of his 
own charger. Pursuing his advantage, the Prince caught the 
haft of the great axe as it swung to his hand, and whirling it 
high, brought it down hissing on the gorget of the third whose 
sword was at his throat, so that the man’s head spun from 
the shoulders, bounding, a ball of iron among his enemies. 
Again and again the great axe rose to fall, its keen edge 
[ 143 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

undulled, biting through targe and corselet, morion and linked 
mail coat alike, never swerving or waxing heavy in his hand ; 
yet even so, the issue hung in the balance, as instantly a 
foe went down before the fury of his arm, another sprang to 
fill the gap, while from the castle men completely armed, 
shouting hoarse battle cries, rushed to join the fray. 

But the tide was turned suddenly in his favor by the black 
peas he had scattered from the small green sack. These had 
no sooner touched the ground than in their place appeared 
the twenty men in sable armor, mounted on their black steeds. 
Uttering no sound, silently they swung into the press, dealing 
such fearful blows with sword or mace and seconding Hardel 
so skilfully that in a little, the pass growing easier, the Prince, 
with a last charge and swing of his gleaming axe, beat down 
the few that still opposed, to thunder over the bridge and 
gain the forest road just beyond, followed by his twenty 
black-mailed henchmen. Nor did they draw rein till, the 
wood left far behind, they halted in a quiet valley some 
leagues away. 

Hardel here turned, and facing them as they drew up in 
military order, each sitting motionless in his proper place, 
spoke words of praise and heartfelt thanks, to which they 
listened mutely. As he ceased speaking, one of the com- 
[ 144 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

pany drawing the little green bag from his gauntlet cast it 
before him on the turf, at which the knight at the extreme 
left rode up till he stood over the spot whereon it lay, and 
saluting the Prince with drawn sword, instantly vanished. 
The next in line did the like, and so on, till only the one 
who had thrown down the bag remained ; then he, dis- 
mounting, picked it up, and handing it to Hardel, disap- 
peared immediately it was in the Prince’s grasp, leaving him 
amazed, to peer into the sack and find the twenty small 
black peas lying innocently in it, as before. 

Long he sat his saddle, musing; man and horse motion- 
less as those others that such a short space before had lined 
the castle drive, save as Bayard pricked ear at some soft 
sound from out the girdling wood, or the plume upon his 
master’s casque nodded in gentle answer to the questioning 
breeze. The mellow sun crept softly down behind the 
wall of green, peeping in golden glances through dainty 
tracery of bough and leaf, sending the stealthy shadow 
ever longer, mounting ever higher, till but the top of the 
tallest tree remained bathed in yellow glow against the 
deepening sky, a golden finger-tip beckoning the twilight’s 
maiden kiss before, rousing somewhat from his dreaming, he 
looked about him. Finding the night so near at hand, he 
10 [ 145 ] 


? 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

determined to spend it where he was ; so, leading the 
patient barb to where a giant oak spread sheltering branches 
low above the velvet turf, he freed him from saddle and 
bit to roll and feast upon the green. 

The crescent moon rose high above, wrapping the little 
glade in a mystery of silver, green, and purple, and still the 
Prince lay wakeful, thinking of the dangers he had passed 
and those that might yet stretch across his path. The 
memory of his vision of Astrella was weaving a golden 
thread of hope and courage in the fabric of his reverie, 
when a high, bell-like voice speaking his name brought him 
to with a start, to see bowing low, not three paces distant, 
the little man of the pool, Speeldig, King of the Gnomes. 

“ You have won the three castles, fairly and knightly as 
I had hoped,” he said, smiling; “so here I am come to 
offer my congratulations, and, mayhap, cheer you on your 
way. The goal of your ambition lies but a little way from 
here, for even now you are over the border of the kingdom 
of Elgardane ; and in the morning, when you come from out 
this wood, you will see the early sunlight flush the palace 
walls. Many the fair prince and noble lord who has 
striven to gain the lady of your heart since first you took 
the lance and rode in her behalf, but all have gone crest- 
[ 146 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

fallen from the task. I look to see you win, who have 
not failed in aught as yet, though sorely tried, and in the 
trial have gleaned the things most needed. Look you : 
there is a magic tree, then a barrier of smooth shining 
stone, and last there is a dragon to be overcome ere you 
may chance upon the Princess’s smile. The battle-axe of 
Kelmet may help you with the tree. Hold fast the golden 
apples, for by their aid only may you pass the stone. Next 
comes the dragon ; oppose to him your courage and the 
good sword from the castle of the Hundred Maidens; 
then, so you be fair to the eyes you fain would please, 
why, speed you well, Sir Prince!” 

As the little man finished speaking his coat of green and 
gold and his scarlet hose lost color quickly, his face and 
figure turned quite of a silvery sheen, and mingling with 
the moonlight in which he stood, grew ever vaguer in their 
outlines, till suddenly they were no more, leaving the Prince, 
much heartened by the kind words of the tiny man, to turn 
upon one side, and, pillowing his head on the saddle, soon 
to plunge into a dreamless sleep. 


[ 147 ] 



/ 







CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH 

And last ; relates how a Shepherd-lad learned 
a new Tune, and the Princess to smile 

again 




HE SUN HAD SCARCELY 
sped an hour on its way when 
a peasant lad, tending his flock 
upon a sunny slope above the 
plain where stretched Elgardane 
town yet half a-drowse, ceased 
suddenly from breathing a simple 
shepherd lay into his oaten pipe, 
to gaze with mouth agape as a 
figure in gleaming armor, astride 


a noble steed, came at half gallop from out the wood. 
Drawing rein on reaching the brow of the hill, the cavalier 
gazed long at the town and palace nestling in the valley 
far beneath, then bent his brows to where but just beyond 
a mountain rose, covered with dense black forest, upon 
whose very topmost crag a dull gray tower drew sharp 
against the turquoise sky. 

The morning air was crystal clear, and from the turret 
window shone a tiny speck of gold. The shepherd saw the 
knight’s strong hand grip fiercely at his saddle bow, while 
a warm flush spread from chin to brow ; then from his curv- 
ing lips there leaped a battle chant, wild, clear, and joyful, as, 
drawing his great sword, he galloped down the steep path, 


[ 151 J 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

tossing high the heavy glaive and catching it as he went, as 
though it were a plaything and a mere feather-weight. 

Gathering his scattered flock, the herd-boy sat him down 
and fell to practising upon his reed the warriors song ; yet 
scarcely had he mastered it, smothering its challenge in a 
minor key, when far across the valley, at the foot of the 
black mountain, the Princess Astrella, seated in her accus- 
tomed spot near the magic tree, heard ring of steel and the 
rhythm of beating hoofs swiftly approaching along the for- 
est path. Peering through the branches, she saw that same 
knight, his handsome head held high, and the song the 
shepherd strove to pipe still coming from his lips. Arrived 
at the tree that barred his farther progress, he swung lightly 
to the ground, and stood considering it, fondling a huge 
battle-axe he carried across his arm. He had poised the 
weapon for the first blow, when noting Astrella, changed as 
she always was after passing the stream of pitch and the 
enchanted rock, he spoke kindly to her, thinking her some 
old dame who might chance to help him with advice as to 
the tree ; so, leaning against a heavy branch, he began : 

“Goodwife, in me you see one who has travelled many 
miles from a far distant country, one of whose dearest 
wishes is to sit as you do upon the other side of this same 
[ 152 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

churlish tree. You who have passed it, as you must have 
done to be where I now see you, will not begrudge the telling 
of the trick?” He smiled down on her, wistfully waiting 
his answer. He spoke again, reminding her of the distance 
he had come and of his eagerness to be upon his way, but 
to no purpose, for though she looked at him with gentle, 
kindly eyes, no word would pass her lips. “ Ah well ! ” he 
sighed at length, finding all persuasion useless, “ ’t is a knave 
at best who on another his task would rest,” and swing- 
ing his great axe, he began with eager stroke, causing the 
broad chips to fly and the gnarled branches to groan and 
quiver beneath the mighty blows he rained upon them. 

The Princess, watching from where she sat, noted the 
handsome face with firm set mouth, and eyes shining 
brightly with unflinching will, the dark locks clustering 
damp on the fair brow, each sweep and curve of broad 
shoulders and graceful limbs, the very poetry of manly 
force in action. She thought it ill indeed that one who 
wrought so cheerfully should spend his strength in vain, and 
she pitied him. So, looking yet again upon his winsome 
grace, his olive cheek flushed with high resolve, the long 
dark lashes that veiled the conquering light glowing in his 
clear brown eyes, she knew he was the one for whose 
[ 153 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

coming she had waited so many weary days. Filled with 
the certainty that already she loved him well, she felt the 
warm blood go pounding through her veins, as springing 
to her feet she pronounced the word having power over 
the enchanted tree, which she alone could utter, and turn- 
ing, sped up the path past stone and stream, to throw 
herself trembling upon her bed in the tower, and bury her 
face, crimsoned with blushes, deep among the pillows. 

Meanwhile the Prince, striving undaunted, found that there 
no longer grew a fresh bough for every one he lopped, and that 
he wrought progress slowly. Greatly encouraged, he redoubled 
his efforts and soon had cleared a space large enough to lead 
Bayard through. This he did, and donning mailed coat and 
helm, which he had laid aside in preparation for his struggle 
with the tree, rode forward, every sense on the alert, till the 
smooth rock rose high before him in the path. After reading 
the carving on its smooth side, “ The Princess may pass, and 
so may the Prince, if — ” and seeing the three apples sculp- 
tured in a row, Hardel drew from his scrip the golden apples, 
and casting the first one over, saw with delight the rock sink 
several feet ; at the second it lowered much more ; then throw- 
ing the third, he saw the rampart sink level with the ground. 

Cantering gaily over, his heart beating loud with joy, he 
[ 154 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

closed his visor, and drew his sword as he rode swiftly up the 
narrow way. Soon he came to where the stream of seething 
pitch bubbled across the road, sending its biting fumes and 
black, stinging smoke swirling full in his face, choking his 
breath and bringing the water to his smarting eyes. 

High in the centre of the reeking vapors heaved the fright- 
ful head of the dragon, gnashing his huge jaws and breathing 
flame and deadly venom-laden air from his cavernous mouth 
and quivering nostrils, while sitting on his shoulders the witch 
Eluesa, her green eyes wild with rage, flecks of foam about 
her lips, urged him on, cursing and screaming fierce defiance 
at the Prince. 

All this Hardel included in a single glance, then, setting 
spurs to his steed, he dashed swift and sure straight at the hor- 
rid head. Rising in his stirrups, he grasped the great sword 
in both hands and brought it down with all his might, 
through flame and smoke, on the slimy, green-scaled neck; 
then heaving up the heavy blade to strike again, he paused 
bewildered, for dragon there was none, nor seething pitchy 
stream, nor hag, nor anything of what had been before. 
There at his feet a brook of crystal clearness, purling among 
the sparkling stones, wound babbling on between fair banks 
of emerald green, shaded with soft willow and graceful birch. 

[ 155 ] 


THE FACE IN THE POOL 

All the black wood had vanished, leaving no trace, and in 
its stead stretched velvet lawns with stately oak and poplar 
casting long, slender, purpling shadows. For the sun, an orb 
of throbbing light, had set his chin among the westering hills, 
lending his gold with spendthrift hand, to make the world 
more fair to speed his parting. The flowers cast their choicest 
fragrance on the breeze, as incense to the passing of their lord ; 
a thrush from out a bush of myrtle close at hand burst on 
the brooding stillness with a run of silver notes, and, as its 
song pulsed once again upon the quiet, fragrant air, he saw 
his Princess against a sky of gold and amethyst, her sweet 
face turned to his, her arms outstretched, the light of a great 
love shining from her dear eyes for him alone. 

































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